Growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. Maigaya) in different soil-volcanic ash combinations

The potential of Mt. Pinatubo ash for the growth of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum var. Maigaya) was determined. Tomatoes were grown in different soil-ash combinations. These combinations were 0.0 percent, 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent and 100 percent volcanic ash mixed with 75 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent loamy soil and 10 percent cow manure.Soil analysis showed that percent organic matter, phosphorus and potassium contents of the different soil-ash combinations were significantly different. Organic matter increased by 25 percent, in 100 percent soil, 50 percent in 100 percent soil + organic matter and 28.57 percent in 100 percent ash. Phosphorus content in 50 percent soil + 50 percent ash increased by 35.86 percent while that of 100 percent ash with organic matter increased by 35.86 percent while that of 100 percent ash with organic matter increased by 220.16 percent. Generally, the amount of Potassium increased in all treatments.Greater height increments and higher oven-dry weights of plants were observed in 100 percent soil and 75 percent soil + 25 percent ash combination