Soil chemical quality and tomato performance as influence by moringa (Moringa oleifera) extracts at Minna, Nigeria.

Abstract

The production of tomato in Nigeria is beset with varying problems arising from low yield and poor value of fruits. A pot experiment was carried out in the screen house of the Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria to evaluate the impact of Moringa oleifera (Moringa) leaf extract on soil chemical properties and tomato performance. The treatment consisted of three concentrations of moringa leaf extract, which were 1:10, 1:20, and 1:30, applied at one , two and three weeks interval after transplanting. The treatments were laid out in a Completely Randomised Design (RCD), replicated four times. Data collected were plant height, number of leaf, days to flowering, number of fruits and fruit weight. Results showed that the texture of the soil was sandy loam and the soil was slightly acidic in water (PH 6.3) with low organic carbon (3.30g kg-1). It was concluded that plant height, fruit weight, of tomato were significantly influenced by the application of Moringa leaf extract. Application of 1:30 at two weeks after transplanting improved the growth and yield parameters of tomato variety assessed and exchangeable potassium of the soil.