Defined Compost System for the Study of Fungi During Tomato Cultivation

ABSTRACT   This study investigated the effects of kitchen waste compost system soil amendment on fungal communities and growth of tomato using standard soil mycological procedures and plant growth measurements. Plant productivity was determined using Soil-Plant Analysis Development (SPAD- 502) chlorophyll meter. Results revealed the heterotrophic fungal count in both wet and dry compost kitchen waste amendment. Wet compost Ranged from 2.7 x 104to 5.7 x 105 Cfu/g; Yam-based Compost had 2.1 x 105 to 2.9 x 106 Cfu/g; Cocoyam-based Compost had 2.2 x 106to 3.5 x 107 Cfu/g; and Cassava-Based Compost had 2.0 x 107 to 4.2 x 108 Cfu/g. Fungal isolates encountered in soil amended with wet and dry compost materials include Candidapseudopicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisae, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus terreus, Phoma, Thermomyces , Verticllium, Aspergillus oryzae, torula, Candida lipolytica, Aspergillus fumigatus, geotrichum, Cephalasporium acremonium, clasdiosporium, paecilomyces, Fusarium,Candidaglabrata. The results indicate that the tomato plant failed to germinate in the control soil, but exhibited 50% and 62.5% germination in Wet Compost-Based (WCB) and Cassava-based compost (CBC) amended soils respectively. The height of the plants was more enhanced in CBC amended soils (27.7cm), while crop height in WBC amended soils was (19.5cm). However, the number of plant leaves averaged 83 in both compost systems. In terms of leaf lengths, measured values were observed to be more (7.1cm) in plants from WCB amended soils than those from CBC amended soils (6.7cm). Chlorophyll content was also found to be more in CBC (58.2 SPAD) than WCB (40.2 SPAD) amended soils. Both CBC and WCB amendments apparently improved soil properties thereby favoring tomato plant growth. The Study also shows that the two compost systems influenced fungal dynamics positively. This research highlight the potentials of repurposing organic kitchen wastes for enhanced soil quality, crop production and sound environmental management.