Effect of Neem Kernel Cake Powder (NKCP) on Fusarium Wilt of Tomato when Used as Soil Amendment

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate effect of Neem Kernel Cake Powder (NKCP) at 1.75, 3.5 and 7g rates on development of tomato Fusarium wilt in 1997 at the National Horticultural Research Center, Thika, Kenya. Inoculum density of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Sacc.) was two 14mm - diameter disks per planting hole taken from 10 day old cultures growing on PDA. Plant performance was based on shoot height and weight; stem diameter; number and weight of tomato fruits. Disease assessment was based on wilt index of shoots and length of discolouration of vascular tissues. Performance of plants grown in NKCP amended and non-amended soils was significantly (p=0.05) different (33.3 - 93.3%). Disease severity based on the wilt index (0.53-2.87) and length of discoloured vascular tissues (7.4cm - 25.62cm) differed significantly (p=0.05) among treatments.