Determination of Proper Application Timing and Frequency for Management of Tomato Leaf Mold Disease by Commercially Available Microbial Preparations

Abstract

In order to develop a environmentally friendly control protocol for managing tomato leaf mold disease in the field, we employed bacteria- and fungi-based commercially available microbial preparations. The field experiment was conducted from April to July in 2010. Average incidence rates tomato leaf mold caused by Fulvia fulva were 13.1% at the two plastic houses located in Jangsung, Jeonnam area. Initially 11 microbial preparations were tested for antifungal activity against F. fulva in vitro. Among them, 7 selected preparations showed to be inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungal pathogen over 50%. Four microbes suppressed disease incidence as much 50% under greenhouse condition. Eventually in the field two microbial products including Bacillus subtilis GB-0365 and B. subtilis KB-401 respectively were showed control value up to 71.8% for four times sprays from 20 days to 70 days after transplanting. Furthermore, the control value of three times spray program demonstrated 79.3%. Efficacy of the three and four spray programs was more effective than that of non-spray control treatment. Our results indicated that adjustment of application method of commercially available microbial preparation could be used to control a target plant disease as an effective and efficient crop protection system for organic farming.

Keywords

• Environment friendly agricultural materials
• Fulvia fulva