Effect of Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis L) Leaf Extract on Root-Knot Nematode of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum L.)

Abstract

A screen house experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of leaf extract of mahogany (Khaya senegalensis L) for the control of root-knot nematodes of tomato. The completely randomized design was used to test the materials. Results obtained showed that the leaf extracts of the mahogany plant significantly (P 0.05) reduced the population of the nematodes compared to the untreated seedlings. It also indicated that there is significant difference (P 0.05) on the effect of the extract on the test organism between the varying concentrations of the extract used. The study revealed that the higher the concentration of the extract the more its effect on the test organism. The result also showed a significant variation (P 0.05) in the extent of galling, plant height and root lenght in tomato treated with different levels of concentrations of the leaves extracts. The implications of these findings were discussed.