Management of Tomato Root Rot Disease Using Chaetomium globosum Formulations under Greenhouse and Field conditions

Abstract

The effects of three formulations of Chaetomium globosum applied as seed bet treatments on root rot disease of tomato plants were studied under greenhouse and field conditions. Using bi-culture techniques, three isolates of Chaetomium globosum (CG) (1,2,3) were investigated in vitro for their inhibitory efficacy against RS and FORL. The results showed that the most sever isolate is CG1 which reduced the growth area by 81.1 and 78.0% for RS and FORL respectively. Other isolates showed moderate effect. The results revealed that all formulations of Chaetomium globosum (CG) i.e. spore suspension (CGSS), pellets(CGP) and spore suspension + pellets (CGSS+CGP) controlled tomato root rot under greenhouse and field conditions. Data showed that all formulations reduced disease incidence and severity. The most effective formulation is CGSS+CGP which inhibited the disease incidence by 80.2 and 71.2 % for
RS and FORL respectively. The same trend was observed with disease severity. All of the formulations increased in enzyme activities. As for RS the formulations CGP and CGSS+CGP produced the greatest increase in enzyme activity which increased PO and CH more than 127.3 and 129.4% respectively. As for FORL the same formulation increased PO and CH more than 152.2 and 122.2 % respectively.
Furthermore, during two growing seasons in the field, the most effective formulation is CGSS+CGP which inhibited disease incidence and severity. Followed by CGP treatments, meanwhile, CGSS has satisfactory impact. As for tomato yield, the most effective formulation is CGSS+CGP which significantly increased tomato yield. Followed by CGP treatment.