Efficacy assessment of garlic extract as a natural aphid control agent on infected tomato plants

Abstract

This controlled pot experiment aimed to assess the effectiveness of garlic extract as a natural aphid control agent on infected tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). The study investigated the impact of different doses of garlic extract on plant height, leaf damage, fruit production, and overall yield. The garlic extract was prepared by diluting crushed garlic bulbs with water to achieve the desired concentrations. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with four treatment groups: a control group (0%), low dose (10%), medium dose (30%), and high dose (50%) of garlic extract. The treatments were applied using a handheld sprayer, and the plants were monitored for aphid populations using visual inspection and sticky traps. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), to determine significant differences between treatments. The results revealed that higher doses of garlic extract led to increased plant height, decrease in leaf damage caused by aphids, higher fruit production, and improved overall yield. The control group exhibited the lowest values for all parameters, while treatments with garlic extract showed significant improvements. The highest yields were observed in Treatment 50%, where plants treated with the highest dose of garlic extract yielded 41.2 kg per treatment. These findings demonstrate the potential of garlic extract as an effective aphid control agent, capable of enhancing tomato crop yield and economic returns for farmers.