Harnessing integrated disease management strategies to combat major tomato diseases and seasonal dynamics in Tamil Nadu

An extensive survey was conducted to observe the disease incidence in the major tomato-growing areas of Tamil Nadu during kharif, rabi and summer seasons. Our results showed that major diseases were effectively controlled by (seed priming with Bacillus subtilis (Bbv 57) @4g/kg of seed followed by soil application of B. subtilis (Bbv 57) @10g/kg of soil while filling plug trays, soil drenching with B. subtilis, (Bbv 57) @5% after seed germination and covering nursery beds with 50-mesh nylon net until transplanting) and in the main field (border row planting with two rows of maize 15 days before transplanting seedlings, followed by seedling dip with carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% WP (Wettable Powder) @ 0.1 % at the time of transplanting and sequential spraying with acephate 75% WP @1.5g/L on 10 days after transplanting (DAT), fipronil 5% SC (Suspension Concentrate) @1.5mL/L on 20 DAT, copper hydroxide 77% WP (2.0g/L) on 25 DAT, imidacloprid 70% WG @2g/15L on 40 DAT, fenamidone 10%+mancozeb 50% WDG (Water- Dispersible Granules) @ 0.25% two to three times from 45 DAT at 10 days intervals). The results of the IDM (Integrated Disease Management) experiment revealed minimum disease severity for damping off (3.95%) fusarium wilt (8.69%), early blight (5.66%), tomato leaf curl virus (10.56%) and spotted wilt virus (10.77%) compared to the control. The developed IDM module was tested and verified in the farmer’s fields and the farmer's practice and control were compared confirming the IDM module as superior. Such an approach could also benefit prolonged tomato production and high economic returns.