Wilt diseases of tomato (<em>Lycopersicum esculentum</em>) and chilli (<em>Capsium annum</em>) and their management strategies: Emphasis on the strategies employed in Sri Lanka: A review

Abstract

Wilt is one of the major diseases causing economic losses in many crops. It is caused by infections of many bacterial (Ralstonia solanacearum), fungal (Fusarium spp., Vertcillium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Sclerotium spp.), oomycete (Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp.) and viral (Tomato spotted wilt virus) pathogens. This review provides an overview on the control strategies used in other countries for the wilt disease in highly susceptible vegetable/fruit crops; tomato and chilli and make comparisons with Sri Lanka. Many studies have been performed on the prevalence, severity, pathogenicity and the control of these infections in both crops worldwide. Wilt in tomato is caused mainly by Ralstonia solanacearum and Fusarium oxysporum and in chilli mainly by Fusarium oxysporum. Tomato bacterial wilt is successfully managed through usage of resistant cultivars, grafting, biological control agents, inducing host systemic resistance and integrated management. Tomato and chilli wilt caused by Fusarium sp. have been successfully controlled mainly through the application of chemicals and biological approaches such as systemic defense induction and the use of microbial antagonists. In Sri Lanka, tomato wilt is reported as being the result of bacterial, fungal and viral infections which have been mainly controlled by the usage of resistant cultivars, physical measures and cultural practices. Chilli wilt in Sri Lanka has not been thoroughly studied yet. But application of fungicides has been an effective strategy for fungal wilts. Wilt threat of tomato and chilli in Sri Lanka has to be further studied for the proper management of these infections and for freeing tomato and chilli cultivations from the wilt disease.

Protection of Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum from Wilt Pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Glomus sp.

“…lycopercisi from tomato crops distributed all over Brazil.Trichoderma harzianum and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were able to control the wilt pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in tomato seedlings (Mwangi et al, 2011;Sandani and Weerahewa, 2018).…”

Moringa olefra Plant Based Copper and Silver Nano Particles and its Antibacterial Activity towards Leaf Spot of Chilli caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

“…One of the best strategies is the use of resistant varieties. It is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategic approach (Sandani and Weerahewa, 2018). Leading to a shortage of resistant varieties and the unexpected occurrence of disease, farmers prefer to use chemicals because it is an effective, simple and rapid method for disease control (Shavanov et al, 2022).…”