Possible management of Fusarium wilt of tomato by soil amendments with composts
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Authors
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HARENDER RAJ* andHARENDER RAJ* and I.J. KAPOOR
Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012
Keywords:
Management, tomato, wilt, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, organic amendments, compostsAbstract
Five different composts (banana leaves, bagasse, synthetic mushroom compost, paddy straw and spent mushroom compost) at 0.5, 1.0 and 2% of soil (w/w) were used as soil amendments to determine their influence on the population of the tomato wilt pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici), soil microflora, disease incidence and plant growth in transplanted tomato (cv. Pusa Ruby) plants in pots. Six weeks after transplanting the various composts used reduced the disease index by 44-74%, reduced disease incidence from 89% in the control plants to 4-72% in treated plants and mortality by 75-100%. The composts, in general, enhanced microbial activity (total fungi and bacteria) in amended soils resulting in a reduction in inoculum density and capacity as well as better plant growth (in terms of shoot and root lengths) and disease control. Banana leaves, mushroom and bagasse composts (2%, w/w) were most effective in reducing the mean inoculum load by more than 78% (78.2 to 80.5) and increasing total fungal and bacterial populations in the soil by 56.6 and 69.2 (mean 62.2), and 42.7 and 61% (mean 48.8), respectively, indicating enhanced microbial activity. These composts (at 2%) reduced the disease index by 67 to 74%, disease incidence by 44-96% (maximum with banana leaves) and prevented mortality. Composts, in general, exhibited stronger protection at higher than at lower concentrations.
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