Performance Evaluation of Soil Moisture Retainer on Soil Conditioning and Growth and Yield of Tomato and Sweet Corn

This trial tested the effectiveness of Soil Moisture Retainer (SMR) product on improvement of soil conditions and tomato and sweet corn performances alongside different irrigation levels in order to identify the promising rates and levels. The experiment was conducted in two phases involving Padma tomato variety and Sugar-75 sweet corn variety. Using the recommendations of the product, trials were set up in an experimental site situated on 11°9’55’’N 7°37’56’’E to 11°10’49’’ and 7°36’20’’E at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria which falls under northern guinea savanna agroecology. Atmospheric temperature and relative humidity recorded during the course of the research were 23 – 39.5℃ and 10 – 28%, respectively. Irrigation and SMR factors at 100%, 75% and 50% levels and 0.00, 1.00, 2.00 mL and 3.00 mL m –2 rates, respectively, were laid out in a randomized complete block design. Soil temperature, soil moisture and relative humidity were monitored and recorded in-situ and growth and yield variables of the crops including plant height, stem girth, root length, total biomass and yield were measured. Statistical analyses on the generated data were conducted using R software. According to the results, 2.00 and 3.00mL m –2 SMR rates indicated promising potential for improving soil moisture, soil temperature, and growth and yield performances of the crops. Although 100% irrigation level demonstrated best performance, 75% level can serve as a water-saving alternative to 100%, especially in areas of acute water deficit or severe water demand competitiveness due to its comparable crop performance.