Silicon and Application Methods Influence on Growth, Yield, Nutritional Quality, Pest and Pathogen Management of Tomato in Kiambu County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2025-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) is one of the most commonly consumed in Kenya. It is a natural part of the daily diet for the most of the populations and it is a crop of great economic importance. Low yields attained in Kenya are attributed to factors such as low mineral nutrition, low yielding cultivars, poor ago-techniques, pests and pathogen. The objective of the study is to contribute to tomato yield, quality performance, pests and pathogen management through silicon fertilization in tomato. The study was conducted at Kenyatta University school of Agriculture farm in Kiambu county- Kenya. The study was laid in a randomized complete block design with split -split plot arrangement where two tomato varieties Zara f1 and Eden f1 constituted the main plot, silicon application methods, basal and foliar sub-plots with different silicon rates 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L in sub-sub plot. I6 treatments were applied and replicated three times. The field trial was used to monitor the growth parameter like average fruit weights, shoot heights, root length, leaf area of tomato. A visual count was done to ascertain pest and disease severity and score in a scale of 1-5. The tissue samples were taken to the laboratory at Kenyatta University and various standard methods were used in the determination of nutrient status, antioxidants and in proximate analysis for photosynthetic pigments and soluble solutes. Growth,yield,Tissue nutrient analysis, disease and pest data collected was managed in excel and subjected to ANOVA using Genstat 15th edition, where significant differences were observed the means separated using Fischers’ Protected least significance differences at 95% level of significance. Results from the research experiments were presented using tables, figures and graphs. Silicon application at (100 mg/L) recorded highest leaf area, number of fruits, fruit weight, and number of flower, Fruit quality perimeters included vitamin C, Ca, P and K also recorded highest values these was uniform across the entire harvesting period. Moreover, the results of the two seasons, showed that application of Silicon as soil drench at rate 200 mg/L recorded the highest mean values of the most data collected which include; shoot height, number of auxiliary stems, root area, stem diameter and number of marketable fruits and these results were significantly different at p≤0.05. Magnesium and nitrogen concentration were also significantly higher for the soil drenched concentration at 200mg/L. The number of pests’ population and pathogen were significantly lower at p≤0.05 for silicon basal application at 100mg/L. The study concludes that Basal Si application performed better compared to foliar. Additionally, Si rates of 100mg/L gave better yields compared to other Si levels. Basal and foliar silicon application controlled pests and pathogens effectively in tomatoes however, Silicon applied at 200mg/L gave better results. Basal silicon at 100mg/L gave high nutritious fruits compared to control. The study finding could enable the formulation of fertilizer blend that will be able to boost tomato yields, nutritional quality as well as to manage pests and pathogen. The increased output will also improve farmers household income, food security and consumers health as well.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Agronomy in The School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of Kenyatta University, June 2025.
Supervisors
1. Joseph Onyango Gweyi
2. Namikoye Samita