Effect of Moringa Leaf Extract on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Varieties in the Sudan Savannah of Nigeria

Author

Muhammad Bukar Abdullahi, Yusuf B. Daraja, Musa S. Fulani


Abstract

 Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically important vegetable crop in northern Nigeria, but its productivity is constrained by the high cost of synthetic fertilizers and growth enhancers. Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) has been proposed as a low-cost, eco-friendly bio-stimulant capable of enhancing crop growth through its rich content of phytohormones, minerals and antioxidants. A field trial was conducted during the 2023/2024 dry season at two locations, Fangale settlement (Wudil) and Audu Bako College of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm (Dambatta), in the Sudan Savannah ecological zone of Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of foliar-applied MLE on the vegetative growth of two tomato varieties (Roma VF and UTC). Seven concentrations of MLE (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% v/v) were factorially combined with the two varieties and laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins in the extract. Plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant and leaf area were recorded at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT). MLE significantly (p < 0.05) increased plant height, branch number, leaf number and leaf area at the early growth stage (2 WAT) in both locations, with the 30% concentration generally producing the tallest plants and the largest leaf area, while 20–25% concentrations favoured leaf and branch production. Treatment effects diminished at later sampling dates, and responses were generally stronger at Wudil than at Dambatta, a pattern consistent with the more favourable physicochemical properties of the Wudil soil. Varietal differences were significant for most traits, and MLE × variety interactions were largely non-significant, indicating a broadly similar response of both varieties to the extract. The results demonstrate that foliar application of moringa leaf extract, particularly at 20–30% concentration, can enhance early vegetative growth of tomato and offers a viable, low-cost organic alternative to synthetic growth promoters for smallholder tomato production in the Sudan Savannah of Nigeria.



Keywords

Moringa oleifera; bio-stimulant; foliar application; tomato; vegetative growth; Sudan Savannah



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References


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