Determination of Optimum Rate of Local Plant Materials for Effective Management of Nematode (Nematoda) Infestation in Tomato (Lycompersicum esculentus) Production

The study aimed to determine the optimum rate/dosage of the identified local plant materials that would effectively manage nematode infestation in tomato (Lycompersicum esculentus) production. The experiment was conducted at Lower Nursery, Njala campus, Njala University, southern region, Sierra Leone during the second cropping seasons of 2023. The experiment was factorially arranged in Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates each consisted of 6 treatments. The experimental design consisted of one level of tomato variety: Mongal; two (2) local plant materials: Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata). Three rates treatments of (3t, 5t and 7t) ha-1 of local plant materials were used to determine the optimum rate of application. Hence, the number of leaves and area, total height and stem girth of the plants were measured on a weekly basis effective the second week after transplanting until flowering. The number and weight of the fresh tomato fruits were evaluated at economic maturity stage. Phenological data such as days to 50% flowering and fruit setting were recorded. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Differences between mean values of the various parameters were determined by a one-way ANOVA analysis while significantly different means were separated using the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test at p≤0.05 level of significance. Mongal variety planted on treatment plots with 7 tons/ha of Neem (Azadirachta indica) recorded the highest survival percentages 90.28%, followed by Mongal variety treated with 7 tons/ha of Siam weeds (Chromolaena odorata) 89.82%. While 7 tons/ha of Siam weed, recorded the highest mean in plant height (33.63m) and leaf number (65.40), larger stem girth (0.64m) and leaf area (32.86m²). Mongal tomato treated with 3 tons/ha of Neem took the shortest period to reach 50% in both flowering and fruit setting (51-57 days). 7 tons/ha of Siam weed recorded the highest fruit numbers with mean value of 47.40 and weight of 1.64kg. Using 7 tons/ha of Siam weeds (89.82% survival rate) is the most effective treatment for nematode management among the options provided as it recorded the highest fruit numbers and weight with 47.40 and 1.64 kg respectively.