EFFECT OF MORINGA EXTRACT ON GROWTH AND
YIELD OF TOMATO

EFFECT OF MORINGA EXTRACT ON GROWTH AND
YIELD OF TOMATO

CALVER MVUMI

FANUEL TAGWIRA

ALBERT. Z CHITEKA

ials were carried out to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a
growth hormone on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumL 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 extract at M3.

Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

2012