Management of tomato wilt complex caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici through organic amendments

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon Mill.) is the second most important vegetable crop. It suffers from various phytopathogenic diseases. Among the fungal diseases, wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is most important disease and is limiting factor in its production. The fungus also develops synergistic relationship with Meloidogyne spp. leading to root-knot wilt disease complex. This complex is highly destructive to tomato plants and is characterized by enhanced wilt symptoms. Efficacy of different organic amendments (@5g / kg soil) were evaluated against root-knot wilt disease complex developed by Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Observations were made on plant growth parameters, nematode reproduction and wilt disease incidence in tomato. The experimental results showed that among organic amendments, neem cake was found significantly superior to increase plant growth parameter, reduce nematode population and wilt disease incidence followed by castor cake.