Abstract
The black spot disease caused by the fungus Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) L. R. Jones and Gront is one of the most important diseases of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The control is usually performed with fungicides, resulting in products contaminated with pesticide residues. In recent years, the use of homeopathic medicines has been highlighted in research for disease control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fungitoxicity against A. solani by the homeopathic medicines Propolis, Isotherapic of A. solani and Isotherapic of ash, at 6, 12, 30 and 60CH (hahnemanian centesimal) dynamizations, and Sulphur, Silicea terra, Staphysagria, Phosphorus, Ferrum sulphuricum and Kali iodatum at 6, 12, 30 and 100CH dynamizations. Distilled water and 30% hydroalcoholic solution were used as controls at 12, 30, 60 and 100CH dynamizations. Mycelial growth, sporulation and conidial germination of A. solani were evaluated. The results indicated that for mycelial growth only in Sulphur and Staphysagria 100CH showed suppressive effect compared to both controls. For sporulation, Propolis 6, 30 and 60CH and Ferrum sulphuricum 6 and 30CH caused inhibition and differed from both controls. Isotherapic of A. solani 6CH, Isotherapic of ash 6CH and Ferrum sulphuricum 30CH reduced spores germination of the pathogen. It was also found that distilled water at 60 and 100CH inhibited mycelium growth. These results indicate the potential of some homeopathic medicines for trials aiming to control the black spot disease in tomato crops. Key words: Homeopathy, alternative control, black spot, Solanum lycopersicum.  
Highlights
The black spot caused by Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) L
These results indicate the potential of some homeopathic medicines for trials aiming to control the black spot disease in tomato crops
Treatments were separated into three study groups: one with the homeopathic preparations Propolis, Isotherapic of A. solani (IAS) and Isotherapic of ash of tomato leaves (ICF) with black spot lesions; another with Sulphur, Silicea terra, Staphysagria, Phosphorus, Ferrum sulphuricum and Kali iodatum; and a third with distilled water (DW) and hydroalcoholic solution (HS) with dynamizations
Summary
The black spot caused by Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) L. R. Jones and Grout is one of the most important and common diseases of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) crops, with high destructive potential, focusing on leaves, and in stems, petioles and fruits, causing significant economic losses (Jones et al, 2014). The fungus which causes this disease survives in crop debris and infecting other vegetables such as potatoes and eggplant. The small number of cultivars with genetic resistance to this disease, associated with the high cost of seeds, results in the control with chemical products to those traditionally grown tomato varieties that are susceptible to the pathogen (Kurozawa and Pavan, 2005). According to the Program for Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Food, 18% of tomato samples analyzed were unsatisfactory due to the use of unauthorized pesticides and presence of pesticide residues above the acceptable limits in the produce (Anvisa, 2008)
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