Usage of Non-chemical Methods to Counter the Damages Caused by Tomato Mosaic Virus

Abstract

Background: Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) is the most common and important pathogen of tomato crop. The infected plants show mosaic, mottle, wrinkling, reduced leaf size and uneven ripening of fruits. ToMV is transmitted mechanically, by cultural operations, farm implements and also through seed. Methods: The present study was planned to evaluate environment friendly strategies for the management of ToMV disease. Different non-chemical means viz., Elephant Ear plant extract, Eucalyptus extract, Zinc and Boron solution, NPK solution, Milk and Urea were used on four tomato varieties (Tanja, Chico, Manik and Sahil). All the treatments were used at three different concentrations (1%, 2% and 3%) and replicated three times. Result: The maximum disease reduction was recorded in plants treated with NPK solution (16.35%) and minimum in plants treated with Elephant Ear plant extract (29.65%). The maximum mean disease severity was recorded at 1 percent concentration of all the treatments (32.46%) which was statistically significant from that of 2 and 3% (24.74% and 19.23%), respectively. Among the varieties, minimum disease severity was recorded in Manik (24.64%) variety and maximum in Chico (31.27%) variety. All the treatments contributed towards reduction in disease severity of which NPK solution being most efficient.