Effects of Different Types of Mineral and Organic Fertilizers on the Production and Profitability of Tomato Cultivation (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), Grown in the City of Korhogo, Northern Côte d'Ivoire

The high cost of mineral fertilizers coupled with their low accessibility is a limiting factor in market gardening in tomato cultivation in Korhogo. This study was initiated with a view to contributing to the increase in tomato production, by adding different types of mineral and organic fertilizers, by evaluating their effects on yield and economic profitability. The experiment was conducted at the experimental site of Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University in Korhogo. The experimental device consisted of Fischer blocks, completely randomized, comprising 4 treatments and 4 repetitions (blocks). Treatments included control without fertilizer input (T1), one type of organic fertilizer (poultry droppings) and 2 types of mineral fertilizers (NPK and NPK + Urea). The results obtained showed that the yield and all its characteristics were improved by different types of fertilizers applied. Yields were 19.3 t/ha for T1, 25.1 t/ha for T2, 29.01 t/ha for T3 and 31.8 t/ha for T4. The profitability of mineral and organic fertilizers, determined from net profit, varied depending on the type of fertilizer. The contribution of mineral fertilizer (NPK + Urea), with a net profit of 14,492,500 FCFA, was the most economically profitable, therefore the most recommendable. In a context where the high price of fertilizers is a major obstacle to the intensification of tomato cultivation, this study is a contribution to the optimization of fertilization of the crop, by providing compost based on chicken droppings that would reduce the harmful effects of mineral fertilizers, for the health of populations consuming the vegetables produced