Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Greener Journal of  Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2 (5), pp. 207-211, September 2012

 ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number:GJAS1233

 

Effect of Moringa Extract on Growth and Yield of Tomato

 

Mvumi Culver¹, Tagwira Fanuel¹and Albert Z. Chiteka¹.

 

¹Africa University, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe

 

Corresponding Author’s Email: culmvi @ yahoo. com

Abstract:

Trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a growth hormone on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L var. Rodade).
 In the greenhouse, five treatments were used: the control, where only water was added (M0), second control where ethanol 80 % was added (ME), moringa extract applied once at 2 weeks from emergence (M1), moringa extract applied at 2 and 4 weeks from emergence (M2), and moringa extract applied every 2 weeks to maturity, starting from two weeks from germination (M3).The same treatments were adopted in the field except the ME which was considered unnecessary after observing the results of the greenhouse experiment. Results showed that moringa extract increased growth and yield of tomato in both greenhouse and field. Moringa extract significantly increased above ground dry matter yield (DM), root dry matter weight and plant height for the crop. Yields obtained at MI, M2 and M3 were increasing in ascending order from M1. The study recommends the application of extract at M3.
 
Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaf extract, growth hormone, tomato 

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