Pathogenic diseases are major limitations to the cultivation of tomato in the humid rain forest agro-ecological zones (HRAZ). A study was designed to evaluate four cultivars of tomato (DT97/215A, Ajindi-kerewa, Dan-Syria and Roma VF) for tolerance to common field pathogens of the crop in the HRAZ. Analysis of soil preceded land preparation, while seeds and soil for the nursery were sterile. The land area for the field study was 200.60 m 2 , divided into 12 plots of 7.80 m 2 . Each plot had 30 tomato stands. The randomized complete block design consisting of three replicates was adopted. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. Four diseases, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Bacterial wilt and Tomato mosaic were identified with significantly different incidences and severities. Fusarium wilt was the most common, followed by Verticillium wilt, while tomato mosaic was the least. DT97/215A had 61.42% (incidence) and 28.81% (severity) of fusarium wilt at 9 weeks after planting, making it the most susceptible. Ajindi-kerewa recorded 51.32% (incidence) and 16.19% (severity) in the same period. The least incidences of Fusarium and Verticillium wilt, 0.81% and 0.31% respectively, were recorded for Roma VF at 9 wap. No incidence of bacterial wilt and tomato mosaic was recorded for Dan-Syria. Roma VF and Dan-Syria gave 8.29 and 7.95 tonnes/ha yields respectively. Significantly lowest yield, 4.10 tonnes/ha was obtained from DT97/215A. Dan-Syria had the best shelf life, 77.49% intact fruits at 3 weeks after harvest. Dan-Syria and Roma VF can be recommended for cultivation in the HRAZ.
Evaluation of the relative efficacy of powdered leaf extracts of Aloe vera (Linn) and Aloe schweinfurthii (Baker) in the control of some plant pathogens was undertaken in this work. Antimicrobial activities of the extracts obtained using cold water, hot water and ethanol were tested against four fungal spp., namely, Alternaria solani, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Sclerotium rolfsii and Trichophyton rubrum. The phytochemical screening of the leaf extracts of the two aloe species revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, phytates and oxalates. The extracts were observed to exhibit varying inhibitory effects on the selected fungi. Ethanolic extract of A. vera at 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml had the greatest impact on A. solani and C. lindemuthianum respectively. Similarly, cold water extract of A. schweinfurthii at 100 mg/ml was the most effective against S. rolfsii and T. rubrum. However, hot water extract of A. vera was least effective against C. lindemuthianum. Also, the efficacy of cold water extract of A. schweinfurthii at 50 mg/ml was very low against T. rubrum and A. solani. The hot water extract of A. schweinfurthii at 20 mg/ml also showed the least effect against S. rolfsii. Consequently, extracts from both Aloe species can be recommended in the management of the four fungal pathogens evaluated in this study. It is hoped that in no distant future, botanical fungicides would be developed from the two Aloe species.
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