Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted at the crop section of the Teaching and Research Farm of the
Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria twice between April to June (wet
season) and July to September, (dry season) to determine the growth and yield responses of
tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to foliar application of selected botanicals. The trial was laid out
in a Randomized Complete Block Design with twenty eight (28) treatments replicated three
times. Plant spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm was adopted. All standard agronomic practices were
carried out as at when due during the experiment and platinum tomato variety was used. Three
botanicals were used alone and in combination with aqueous garlic extract as bio stimulant
through foliar application and a synthetic chemical, Sharpshooter® was used as the standard
check. The frequency of application were once a week, twice in a week and once in two weeks.
The growth parameters assessed were plant height (cm), number of leaves and number of
branches/plant. Data was also collected on number and weight of harvested fruits and number of
spoilt fruits. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Results from the study
showed that the foliar application of botanicals improved the growth and yield parameters of
tomato. However, neem extract combined with aqueous garlic extract applied once in a week
significantly improved the yield of tomato plant and had the lowest number of spoilt fruit and
should be recommended as a suitable bio-stimulant for optimum productivity.
