GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSES OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.) TO FOLIAR APPLICATION OF SELECTED BOTANICALS

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.