Effect of Different Concentrations of Tomato Leaf Extract on Aphid Control in Rape Production in Zimbabwe

Rape (Brassica napus) is an important vegetable crop grown by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe to achieve food and nutritional security. However, productivity and quality of rape are greatly dampened by aphids which reduce its palatability and quality. Chemical pesticides, while effective, pose environmental risks and can lead to pest resistance and resurgence, besides residual effects and bioaccumulation along the food chain. Tomato leaves are rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, that have shown promise as a botanical pesticide against aphids in other crops. This research aimed to establish the aphicidal components in tomato leaf extract using TLC and UV-Vis Spectroscopy; establish toxicity of the extract using laboratory bioassay, investigate the potential of different concentrations of tomato leaf extracts as a natural, environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to pest management against aphids in rape production at Kushinga Phikelela Agricultural College in Zimbabwe. A CRD with four treatments (0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of tomato leaf extract) and distilled water (negative control) replicated five times each was used. Aphid infestation (scored on a scale of 0-9), yield, leaf size, and plant height were measured fortnightly. Data was analysed for statistical significance using ANOVA while separation of significant means was done by Fisher’s Protected Least Significant Difference Test (LSD (5%). The results from combined analysis using TLC and UV- Vis Spectroscopy indicated that tomato leaf extract used in this research contained compounds (Solanine, Tomatine, Chaconine) which are known to be toxic to pests. There was a highly significant (p<0.001) difference among treatments on aphid mortality. The highest aphid mortality (95.57%) while the lowest (4%) was observed in 60% and 0% leaf extract respectively. Aphid infestation, leaf size and plant height were highly significant (P<0.001) during weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10 after transplanting. Aphid infestation in week 10 mean score was 8.8, 6.2, 3.8 and 0.8 for 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% tomato leaf extract respectively. Other parameters such as yield and leaf size were highest in the plots that received 60% tomato leaf extract sprays. Highly significant difference (P<0.001) in yield was observed in weeks 8 and 10, while significant difference (P<0.05) in yield was noted in weeks 4 and 6. However, in week two there were no significant differences among the treatments in yield and aphid infestation. Tomato leaf extracts contain secondary metabolites toxic to aphids and this can be used by resource constrained farmers. We recommend the use 60% tomato leaf extracts to control aphids in rape to sustainably achieve high yields.