Control of Bacterial Wilt Disease of Tomato Through Integrated Crop Management Strategies

Abstract

Tomato cultivation is severely affected by bacterial wilt disease caused by the soilborne pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (previously known as Pseudomonas solanacearum Smith). Effects of rotation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) with other crops on soil populations of R. solanacearum and on bacterial wilt disease incidence of tomato were evaluated in the field. Monocropped Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), Mucuna puriens L., Crotalaria juncea L., and intercrops of Cassava/Crotalaria, Cassava/Mucuna, and a natural grass mix (control) were rotated with the tomato cvs. Mira, Ronita, Roma VFN, and Ibadan Local. Monocropped Mucuna significantly reduced soil population of R. solanacearum by the end of the rotation period, whereas the natural grass rotation had the highest population of the pathogen. Other crops with the exception of monocropped cassava also reduced the pathogen soil population. The incidence of wilt was delayed in cvs. Mira, Roma VFN, and Ronita compared to 'Ibadan Local', but all were 80% or more infected after 8 weeks.

Impact of soil amendments and weather factors on bacterial wilt and yield of two tomato cultivars in Abeokuta, Nigeria

“…Taiwo et al (2007) reported a total loss of tomato crop from combined infestation of bacterial and fungal pathogens on farmers' fields in Nigeria. Prevalence of bacterial wilt of tomato leading to a loss of about 80% in south-western Nigeria was reported by Adebayo et al (2009). Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al (syn.…”

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Bacterial Wilt Resistance and Plant Height in Tomatoes

“…Management of BW of tomatoes is difficult, and growers frequently rely on integrated pest management tactics such as crop rotation, cultural practices, fumigation, host resistance, and grafting with disease-resistant rootstocks [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Even so, control is frequently inadequate or too expensive.…”

Effect of Field Treatment with Selected Soil Amendments on Bacterial Wilt Incidences in Tomatoes, Capsicum and Potatoes

“…It was shown that strains of R. solanacearum can be altered based on soil type, its texture, pH and moisture content [16]. During heavy rainfall on infested soil, water runoff contaminates rivers which are the sources of irrigation water [17].…”