Biological Control of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Sacc.) Snyder and Hansen

Abstract

Tomatoes are susceptible to a variety of diseases which can affect the quality of produce and reduce their export potential. One of the most destructive and economically damaging diseases is Fusarium wilt by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici (FoL). In this series of experiments, randomized complete design was used and repeated three times. In this study, the efficacy of Trichoderma isolates, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis to manage fusarium wilt disease under in-vitro and in-vivo condition were investigated. The dominant pathogen which causes fusarium wilt of tomato was isolated and identified as FOL. Under in-vitro condition, result revealed that Trichoderma harzianum was found to inhibit effectively the radial mycelial growth of the pathogen (68.89%). Different chemicals were also tested in the laboratory against FOL under in-vitro condition. The treatment of Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% and Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% are the most effective control with 100% growth inhibition. Meanwhile under pot condition, the application of Trichoderma harzianum exhibited the lowest disease incidence (4.75%) also tomato plants treated with Trichoderma harzianum isolates showed a significant stimulatory effect on plant height (109.75 cm), root weight (10 g) and the fresh weight (91.75 g) of tomato plants in comparison to untreated control (101.75 cm, 7.25 g and 78 g). Therefore, the antagonist Trichoderma harzianum was chosen to be the most promising biocontrol agent for FOL. Based on the present study, the biocontrol agent of plant diseases might be exploited for sustainable disease management program to save environment.