First Report of Tomato Wilt Caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is an important vegetable that is grown in different parts of Pakistan. Tomato wilts caused by Fusarium oxysporum, Acremonium strictum and Pseudomonas solanacearum have become most threatening diseases of tomato in major growing areas of Punjab Province. In January 2015, diseased plants which exhibited wilt symptoms (drooped leaves and stunted growth) were observed on tomato plants (cv. Money maker) grown in the ground in multiple high tunnels (30 ft W×180 ft L×12 ft H) located in the Okara (30° 48' 30.6000'' N, 73° 27' 33.8256'' E) and Faisalabad (31° 25' 15.7620'' N, 73° 5' 21.4584'' E) districts of Punjab province, Pakistan. Feeder roots of diseased plants exhibited vascular discoloration that was dark brown to black. Disease incidence was approximately 20 to 33% out of 60 plants sampled randomly. Symptomatic feeder roots were cut into 3-4 mm pieces, surface disinfected with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, rinsed with sterilized water, plated on potato dextros...