http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/18 Applied Arts & Sciences Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:24:10 GMT 2026-07-25T22:24:10Z http://localhost:8080/bitstream/id/30ca8890-d169-42f9-81df-0bc86b46accd/ http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/18 http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1442 An Investigation on the Effects of Pepper-Bark Plant (Warburgia Salutaris) Leaf Extracts, as a Potential Organic Fungicide for Tomato Crop Protection by Small Holder Farmers Gaviyao1, Mary; Mudondo Kubiku2, Friday Nguvayasvika; Sakadzo2, Nyasha; Mutimbu2, Munyaradzi Kennedy This study investigated the efficacy of Warburgia salutaris (pepper-bark) leaf extracts as an organic fungicide for controlling foliar fungal diseases in tomato crops (Solanum lycopersicum cv. ‘Jemar’). The experiment was conducted at Mutare Polytechnic, Zimbabwe, in 2024, using a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments and five replications. Treatments comprised three extract concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%), a commercial fungicide (Bravo® 500 SC), and an untreated control. Results showed significant differences among treatments (p ≤ 0.001) for all measured variables. The 10% and 15% concentrations achieved mean disease severity ratings of 1.5 ± 0.2 and 1.2 ± 0.1 respectively, representing Alternaria solani disease reductions of 66.7% and 73.3% relative to the untreated control (4.5 ± 0.5), and were statistically comparable to Bravo (1.8 ± 0.2). The 15% concentration produced the highest fruit yield (3.3 ± 0.2 kg/plant) and fruit count (13.1 ± 1.2 fruits/plant), exceeding Bravo in both A. solani disease control (122%) and yield performance (118%). A strong negative correlation was observed between disease severity and fruit weight (r = −0.89, p ≤ 0.001). These findings demonstrate preliminary evidence that W. salutaris leaf extract, particularly at 10–15% concentrations, is an effective and practical organic fungicide option for smallholder tomato farmers, comparable to or exceeding the performance of a conventional synthetic fungicide under field conditions. Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1442 2026-05-16T00:00:00Z