Evaluation of tomato genotypes against bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) under mid-hill conditions

摘要

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.= Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important and popular vegetables grown throughout the world, being second after potato in terms of food value but ranks first in terms of processing value. The cultivation and production of tomato is threatened by the bacterial wilt, which is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (9). Race 1 biovar 3 is responsible to cause bacterial wilt in solanaceous crops including tomato (7).The disease is widely distributed in tropical, subtropical as well as in warm temperate regions and a major constraint on production of many crops (5). The yield loss in India due to this disease has been estimated up to 10-90 per cent (7). It is a well-known fact that the disease is favoured by high rainfall, high temperature and high soil moisture. Due to diverse biological habit of R. solanacearum, eradication of pathogen is not possible but can be managed. Various management strategies have been employed such as use of chemicals, host resistance, organic soil amendments, biological control, alterations in the date of planting, crop sanitation etc. However, use of resistant/tolerant varieties is suitable option particularly in states like Meghalaya where farmers dislike chemicals and prefer organic means by tradition. Therefore, the present study was conducted to find out the suitable resistant/ tolerant genotypes of tomato for mid hill conditions.