Bio-intensive Management of Fusarium Wilt of Tomato-A Review Bharat Narender K.*, Thakur Ashok K. Dept. of Seed Science and Technology, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP (173 230), India *Correspondence to E-mail: nbharat07@rediffmail.com
Online published on 2 December, 2014. Abstract Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) of tomato causes significant damage to the crop under protected as well as open conditions. The pathogen is soil borne and can persist in soil for many years. Hence the disease is very difficult to be managed by single method especially through fungicides. Biological control agents like Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. can reduce the severity of wilt diseases by inhibiting the pathogen in soil through their highly potent antagonistic and mycoparasitic activity. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) fungi live in association with plant roots. These associations improves nutrient uptake and impart resistance against soil borne plant pathogens in many crops. The Brassicas are among the plant families with high content of Glucosinolates (GSLs) in their tissues. Enzymatic hydrolysis of GSLs results in the production of various sulphur compounds some of which possess antimicrobial activities. These crop residues, if incorporated, reduce the population of pathogen propagules in the soil. Some tomato lines show resistant reaction against wilt pathogen and therefore can be used in the integrated use of beneficial organisms and other bio-intensive disease suppressing practices may enhance the level and consistency of control by providing multiple mechanisms of action, a more stable rhizosphere community and effectiveness over a wide range of environmental conditions. Top Keywords Tomato, Fusarium wilt, Bio-intensive management, Solanum lycopersicum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Top |