Integrated Management of Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne Spp.) Using Fresh Organic Manure and Crotalaria brevidens Intercrop for Improved Growth and Yield of Tomato

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetables worldwide. Tomato productivity is limited by, among other factors, biotic constraints including root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species) which lower both quality and quantity of the crop. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya, to evaluate effects of fresh organic manure and slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens var. brevidens Benth.) intercrop on management of root-knot nematode during tomato production as well as establish their effect on tomato growth and yield. Variables measured were nematode infestation, plant height,  stem collar diameter, number of internodes and branches, number of fruits, and fresh fruit weight. Use of fresh organic manure and slender leaf intercrop suppressed the nematode population by 27.8% to 53.5% reduction and significantly increased tomato fruit numbers by 22.2% to 49.7% and fresh fruit weight by 24.5% to 80.4% when used alone or in combinations compared to the control treatment. The combination of fresh goat dung and slender leaf intercrop resulted in the highest reduction in nematode population of 53.5%  and highest increase in total number of fruits of 49.7% and fresh fruit weight of  80.4%.