Effect of Mycorrhizal Fungus, <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> and <i>Azarachta indica</i> Oil on Growth and Yield Parameters of Two Tomato Varieties in Foumbot, Cameroon

Abstract

Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon excluentum</i>. L) is one of the most important fruit vegetables for human consumption. However, its cultivation is confronted with the use of chemicals that are toxic, expensive and cause enormous damage to the environment. Hence the search for environmentally friendly alternatives to improve yields in poor soils. Thus, the use of mychorizian fungus, <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> and neem oil (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>) on the growth and production of tomato in this work could constitute a draft solution. On a plot of 492m<sup>2</sup>, consisting of 126 ridges in two blocks, the hybrid RAJA F1 and standard RIO POWER GRANDE tomato varieties consisting of seven treatments each were grown in the dry and rainy seasons of the year 2024 at IRAD Foumbot in Cameroon. An ANOVA of the results obtained was carried out using R.4.2.2 software and Excel 2019 and the Tukey test was used to compare the means of the treatments. At 12 weeks after transplantation in the field, the T2 and T3 treatments fertilized with mychorizian fungus respectively presented significantly greater stem heights, number of leaves and leaf areas at P < 0.05 than the other treatments. The number of terminal buds, flowers, fruits and yield per hectare was significantly higher for the T2 and T3 treatments compared to the other treatments while the T6 and T7 treatments fertilized with <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> had significantly higher fruit weights of 10 fruits than the other treatments. The mychorizian fungus, <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> and neem oil represent alternatives that can practically replace the fertilization of tomatoes with chemical fertilizers.