Bio-Efficacy of 'SUDOTM' (Pseudomonas fluorescens) as a Bio-Control Agent against Early Blight (Alternaria solani) Disease of Tomato

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is the most popular vegetable crop grown in India as well as in the world which is attacked by several diseases. Among the various diseases, early blight caused by Alternaria solani has become the constraint resulting in huge yield losses. Continuous usage of chemical methods leads to environment, soil and water pollution. However, biological control of diseases is long lasting, inexpensive, eco-friendly and harmless to target organisms. A field bio-efficacy study was conducted for evacuation of SUDO (Pseudomonas fluorescens) for control of tomato early blight disease. The results compiled suggest that the two sprays with 'SUDO' @ 2.0 ml/L followed or preceded by chemical fungicides was found effective in the management of early blight disease of tomato. Minimum PDI of 9.88 was recorded in T-1 treatment (chemical), followed by combination of treatments of chemicals + SUDO with 11.88 to 28.34 PDI which are significantly lower than control treatment (42.40 PDI). Even SUDO @ 2.0 ml/L alone recorded significantly more plant height (17.42%), and fruit yield (58.10%) with reducing early blight disease by 33.16% over control treatment. Similarly spraying of SUDO did not show any phyto-toxic effect on tomato plants.