FAITH MUMBUA MALUKIA22/0087/2009

PROJECT PROPOSAL: IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE AWARD OF BSC. AGRICULTURE (CROP SCIENCE).

EFFECT OF MICROCLIMATE MODIFICATION ON TOMATO(Lycopersicon esculentum) SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR.

SUPERVISOR: DR KINAMA 

INTRODUCTION Horticulture, is the largest agricultural

subsector, has recorded a remarkable export-driven growth in the past decade and, contributes 33 per cent of the GDP and 38 per cent of export earnings (GoK, 2010).

Tomato growing is one of the most promising areas for horticultural expansion and development in Kenya especially for small- scale growers who currently number over 120,000 farmers across the country with holdings of less than one acre. (Sssejjemba, 2008).

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Unfavorable soil temperature is amongst the major factors that contribute to poor germination, growth and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings in tropical areas (Gogo et al., 2012).

Natural temperature changes play a dominant role in controlling the temperature range over which germination may occur in seed populations of species that exhibit seasonal dormancy patterns. (Probert, 2001)

JUSTIFICATION Temperature is the single most important

factor in the regulation of the timing of germination, because of its role in dormancy control and/or release, or climate adaptation. (Hartman et al., 1997)

Modification of the crop microclimate through natural shading influences soil temperature and this will have an effect on germination and performance of tomato seedlings in the field for small- scale farmers who have inadequate resources to construct a greenhouse and want to improve their living standards.

OBJECTIVEMain Objective: To determine the percentage germination of Rio Grande

tomato variety under open field nursery management.Specific Objective:1. To investigate the effects different percentages of

shading on soil temperature.2. To determine percentage germination in the field under

different shading percentages and soil temperature.3. Determine seedling strength and performance under

different soil temperatures.

HYPOTHESIS

Null Hypothesis Modification of soil temperature influences

tomato seed germination.Alternative Hypothesis Soil temperature has no effect on tomato

seed germination. 

METHODOLGY Experimental site: The on-station study will be conducted at Kabete Field

Station of the University of Nairobi, located about 10 km north of Nairobi. The station is about 1940 m above sea level and is located on latitude 1° 15’ Sand longitude 36° 41’ E (Sombroeket al., 1982).

Experimental design: The experiment is to include five treatments which are

laid out in a complete randomized design (CRD) as follows:

T1: Full shading at 10 cm T2: 75% shading at 7.5 cm T3: 50% shading at 5 cm T4: No shading (Control) The shading is applied the day of planting.Materials :Tomato seeds (Riogrande),Wooden pegs, Dry grass as

shading material, Soil Thermometer (Gardeners soil thermometer, Brannam thermometers, England.), Hoe, Watering can (3.5 litres).

DATA COLLECTION: 1. Taking temperature readings: The bulb or sensing part of the thermometer will be

placed at the intended seeding depth of 3cm. The bulb should be in firm contact with the surrounding soil.

2. Germination Data will be collected every three days after

planting. Eight lines will be used in each plot for data

collection. 3. Seedling Vigour Ten randomly selected plants will be used in each plot

for data collection 5-6 weeks after planting. The following parameters were recorded:

Plant height, root length, number of branches and number of leaves per plant.

DATA ANALYSIS: The data recorded on various parameters will be

subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method to determine the difference between different treatment and their interactions. While Least Significant Difference (LSD) test was used to determine mean differences at 5% level of significance. (Kwanchai and Arturo, 1984).

Statistical software Genstat, 13th edition (SP2) will be applied for calculating both ANOVA and LSD.

BUDGETPARTICULARS

UNIT UNIT COST TOTAL

Seeds Tomato 2 packets 350 700

Compost Manure

1/2 bag 100 100

Labor Land Preparation

2 500 1000

Planting 1 500 500

Watering 5 500 2500

Literature, Documentation and Information

Report Printing

2 pieces 400 800

Miscellane

ous

Stationary 1 400 400

TOTAL 6000

WORKPLAN

ACTIVITY STAGE January

February

March April May

Land Preparation

Primary

Secondary

Procurement of Inputs

Planting

Weeding

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Report Writing

Report Submission

REFERENCES Elisha O. Gogo, Mwanarusi Saidi, Francis M. Itulya, Thibaud Martin,and Mathieu

Ngouajio. HortTechnology (June 2012) Microclimate Modification Using Eco-friendly Nets for High-quality Tomato Transplant Production by Small-scale Farmers in East Africa.

GoK, (2010). National Horticulture Policy. Nairobi. Kenya.  HT Hartmann, DE Kester, FT Davies, RL Geneva. Plant Propagation: Principles and

Practices. 6th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1997.  Henk W. M. Hilhorst and Bruce Downie (1995).Primary dormancy in tomato

(Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Moneymaker): studies with the sitiens mutant- Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 47, No. 29 KARI, 2005. KARI-Thika, Priority setting document. 4, pp. 89-97, January 1995.

Kwanchai A. Gomez and Arturo A. Gomez (1984). Statistical Procedure for Agricultural Research. Printed by John Wiley and Sons, 2nd Edition.

The Organic Farmer Knowledge a must for greenhouse farming October 12th, 2011 edition.

Robin J. Probert (2001).The Role of Temperature in the Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination. Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex, UK.

Ssejimbe. (2008) Value Chain Analysis Kenya and Uganda. Uganda