Integrated Disease Management For Bacterial Wilt In Tomato

Tomato is an important commercial vegetable grown in the world with a high export potential and value addition. Farmers are growing tomatoes in large areas mainly to meet the demand of the international market as well as to meet the daily consumption requirement of the domestic markets in India.  The cultivation of tomatoes is in great threat, mainly due to the infestation of a destructive bacterial disease named “Bacterial Wilt Disease,” which causes huge crop loss.

Bacterial Wilt Disease

Bacterial wilt disease is caused by the bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum, which mainly infect solanaceous vegetables like tomatoes, brinjal, chilli, etc.  It is a devastating disease that leads to rapid wilting and death of the plants.

Symptoms Of Bacterial Wilt In Tomato

• Rapid and complete yellowing of plant.
• Yellow-brown discoloration of tissues.
• Drooping of lower leaves.
• White bacterial ooze can be seen from the cut ends.

Survival of the pathogen

The bacteria mainly survives in the soil and infected plants. Through this means, they mainly infect the other healthy plants in the field. The primary spread of the pathogen is through the infected plants. The secondary spread includes soil, wounds, and implements.

Favourable Environment For Bacterial Wilt

• High temperature
• Warm and moist soil
• High humidity

A slightly acidic soil with pH of 6-6.5 is preferred by the pathogen.

Integrated Disease Management For Bacterial Wilt In Tomato

1. Field sanitation.
2. Crop rotation with non-host crops like cereals, legumes, or other vegetables.
3. Transplanting of disease-free seedlings from the nursery to the main field.
4. Restriction of irrigation to avoid spread of the disease.
5. Soil drenching with bleaching powder at 4 kg/acre.
6. Seedling dip with Pseudomonas fluorescens at 20 g/L of water.
7. Uproot infected plants from the main field.
8. Neem cake application at 100 kg/acre.
9. Use resistant varieties like Arka Vardhan.
10. Use grafted seedlings with resistant rootstock.
11. Soil drench with Streptocyclin (1.5 g) + Copper oxychloride (30 g) in 10 L of water.

By adopting these measures, we can manage this disease and improve the growth and yield of the crop.