Growth promoting properties and yield effects of aqueous neem seed extract, biobit and karate on local garden eggs (Solanum integrifolium L.) in the field

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Ekoso in the Eastern Region of Ghana, to investigate the effect of Aqueous Neem Seed Extract (ANSE) on vegetative growth and yield of the local garden eggs Solanum integlifolium L. The extract was applied at the rate of 75 g of seed powder per liter of water (22.5 kg / ha) and compared with a standard insecticide, Karate (2.5 EC) and registered Bacillus thuringiensis Berl. (Biobit) preparations applied at 2.5 ml/L (800 ml/ha) and 0.8 g/L (0.24 kg/ha), respectively. The effects of the treatments on whole plant biomass, flower production, number of major branches, number of functional leaves, plant height, plant girth, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and yield were determined. The ANSE at 75 g/L significantly (p < 0.05) promoted vegetative growth than the other treatments, but delayed flower initiation. Karate and Biobit, however, had no significant (p > 0.05) influence on vegetative growth of the crop. Fruit yield per plant differed significantly (p < 0.05) among the treatments. All the three products produced higher yields than the control plots with the Karate treated plants producing significantly (p < 0.05) the highest fruit yield. Plants treated with neem seed extract produced higher fruit yield, fruit weight and flower production than those sprayed with Biobit although the difference was not significant.


(Journal of the Ghana Science Association: 2001 3(3): 136-144)