Contribution of Aqueous Extracts of Aloe vera to Improving Tomato Productivity in the Central-Western Region of Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Tomato production in Côte d’Ivoire faces a range of constraints, notably soil degradation, which significantly undermines the cropping system and leads to a decline in productivity. This study is underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and aims to compare the effects of aqueous extracts of Aloe vera on the growth and yield of tomatoes in the Daloa region, with a view to proposing an alternative that is environmentally friendly and beneficial to consumer health. To explore sustainable alternatives, aqueous extracts of Aloe vera, applied at different doses, and NPK mineral fertiliser (15 15 15) were evaluated on a plot of 150 tomato plants. The trial was conducted using a randomised complete block design, comprising ten treatments and three replicates. The treatments included different concentrations of gel (25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %) and doses of leaf pulp (15 g, 30 g, 60 g and 100 g), an application of mineral fertiliser, as well as a control without fertilisation. The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in Daloa. The results showed that aqueous extracts of Aloe vera have positive effects on the vegetative growth of tomatoes, with values higher than those of the control. In particular, treatment with pure gel (100 %) resulted in an average plant height of 86.01 cm compared with 60 cm for the control, a stem diameter of 4.88 cm compared with 3.26 cm, and an average of 30 leaves compared with 17 for the control. Furthermore, yield was significantly improved, reaching approximately 35 t/ha compared with 7 t/ha for the control. Consequently, the use of Aloe vera extracts as a natural fertiliser offers a promising alternative for improving tomato productivity, whilst contributing to more sustainable agriculture.