Biological Management of Damping-Off, Buckeye Rot and Fusarial Wilt of Tomato (cv. Solan Lalima) under Mid-Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Disease management is often complicated by the presence of multiple types of pathogens; in an organic system, it is appropriate to develop disease control strategies. The available literature so far reflects that the management of important disease of tomato is through the integrated approaches and very few organic approaches have been tried with various degree of success. Boiopriming of seeds with biocontrol agents (Trichoderma viridae, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens) in combination with different biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum and PSB) and organic manures (FYM and vermi-compost) were tested against disease incidence and health management of tomato seedling under nursery as well as field conditions. The studies were conducted during two successive years (2012-2013) at farmer's field with the objective to combat with the increasing disease incidence of three major disease damping-off, fusarium wilt and buckeye rot from nursery stage to the final harvesting. The study focused on the use of biocontrol agents as the suitable alternative to chemical pesticides with sustainable disease management without pesticide residues in foodstuff. The bio priming of seeds with fungal antagonist Trichoderma viridae and harzianum and bacterial antagonist Pseudomonas fluorescens significantly improved the germination behavior of tomato seeds as compared to untreated control. Highest mean germination (93.1%) and seedling vigour (953.33) was recorded in Treatment 3 (FYM @ 200 q/ ha + Azospirillum + PSB + Trichoderma herzianum (4 kg/ha each) and lowest in control (60.3%) and (304.83), thus indicating a significant per cent increase in seedling emergence (54.4%) and seedling vigour (95.23%). A considerable reduction in disease incidence (pre and post) of damp-* Corresponding author. N. Thakur, A. Tripathi 536 ing off was observed in treatment T₃ and T₄ (VC @ 50 q/ha + Azospirillum + PSB + Trichoderma herzianum @ (4 kg/ha) with 45.6% and 35.4% respectively). Treatment T₃ proved highest in terms of yield (665 Kg/Ha), Hence these diseases can be managed by successful application of Biocontrol agents.

Consortia of entomo-pathogenic fungi and bio-control agents improve the agro-ecological conditions for brinjal cultivation of Assam

“…Previous studies have showed that the biopriming of tomato seeds with Trichoderma isolates (T. viride and T. harzianum) and bacterial antagonist P. fluorescens in combination with FYM 200 q/ha + Azospirillum + PSB + T. harzianum (4 kg/ha each) recorded highest seed germination (93.1%) with a vigor index of 953.33. This treatment also showed 45.6% and 58.0% reduction of pre and post emergence damping off, respectively, over control (Thakur and Tripathi 2015). Similar findings of effectiveness of biocontrol agents against disease, improvement in seedling vigor, seedling emergence were recorded in cauliflower (Sharma and Sain 2005), capsicum and tomato (Pietr et al 2002).…”

Novel Liquid Mycofungicide: An Ideal Approach in Protecting Tomato from the Damping-off Disease in Nursery

“…However, issues related to human and soil health, environmental hazards, and disturbed ecosystem [6,7,8,9] pressurized the agriculturists to switch over the plant protection measures towards the safer and eco-friendly approaches [10]. Biological control agents could be an ideal approach for diseases management [11,12,13] as they have no chance to get into the food chain and hence safe to human beings, animals, and plants [14].…”

Antimycotic Efficacy of Organic Amendments against Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzp the Incitant of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Damping-off

“…Damping-off disease prefers the immature host tissue and rapidly kills huge numbers of seedlings in the nursery beds (Thakur and Tripathi, 2015). Pythium spp.…”