Foliar Application of Sakurab (Allium Chinense G. Don) Extract on Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentun) Production

Abstract

The demand for tomatoes is constantly high all year round. They are one of the most popular crops among home gardeners and farmers worldwide. Not only are they delicious, but they are also easy to grow and could provide high returns for the space they occupy. However, tomatoes are highly sensitive to several biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to evaluate two varieties of tomatoes and their interaction effects in response to the application of Sakurab leaf extract as organic foliar fertilizer and insect pest repellent. It utilized Split Plot Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times with 30 plots comprising two main plots: Tomato variety (V1 – Braveheart and V2 – Diamante). Each main plot was divided into five equal sub-plots: Sakurab leaf extract concentration [ F1 – control (no foliar application), F2 – 2% foliar fertilizer (20 ml/ L of water), F3 – 5% foliar fertilizer (50 ml/ L of water), F4 – 10% foliar fertilizer (100 ml/ L of water), and F5 – 15% (150 ml/ L of water) levels of concentrations. In terms of growth parameters, results revealed that the varying levels of Sakurab leaf extract foliar application did not significantly affect the plant height, days to first flowering, days to fruiting, and the days to harvest. However, the marketable fruits per tomato plot, marketable fruits per plant, and the marketable yield of tomato plants per hectare were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by varying levels of Sakurab foliar application. Based on the findings, the Diamante variety applied with a 15% (150 ml/L of water) level of Sakurab leaf extract concentration which produced the most marketable fruits per plot and the yield per ton/ha is recommended. Further experiment using a higher level of concentration of Sakurab leaf extract such as 30%, 60%, and 90% within a controlled environment, including the assessment of pest and disease incidence is proposed.