Fungicide resistance in Alternaria leaf blight pathogen in tomato crop grown in Satara District

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), an important commercial vegetable of the world, is susceptible to early blight, a devastating fungal (Alternaria solani sp & Alternaria alternata sp) disease of tomato in India and elsewhere in the world. Currently, sanitation, long crop rotation, and routine application of fungicides are the most common disease control measures. The fungicides used for the management of Alternaria leaf blight in Satara district for the management of this disease were Dithane-M-45, Blitox, Bavistin, Captaf and Score. However, the fungus causing Alternaria leaf blight seems to have developed resistance against Bavistin and Captaf. Therefore, fungicides other than these two fungicide must be recommended on the taluka which have already developed resistance against these fungus.