The Effect of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Compost on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Growth Attributes, Yield Potential and Heavy Metal Levels

The potential of different water hyacinth compost application rates in influencing growth attri-butes, yield and heavy metal accumulation of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in tomato fruit was studied in Masvingo. Four treatments of water hyacinth compost rates of 0, 37, 55.6 and 74.1 t·ha−1 were each replicated three times and applied in a randomized complete block design set up. Results showed that water hyacinth compost application rates significantly affected plant height, days to maturity and yield but had no influence on the number of tomato fruits per plant. The plant height at application rate of 74.1 t·ha−1 was 25%, 56 % and 63 % higher than the control at week 6, 9 and 12, respectively. At application rates of 56.6 t·ha−1, plant heights were 11%, 13 % and 12 % higher than the control whilst marginal plant height differences of −4%, 6