Root Rot Disease on Tomato Seedlings Caused by Pythium ultimum and the Effect of Nutrient Elements N, P and K on Disease Incidence

Background: Nutrients are important factors that plants need, which also affect the plant’s sensitivity to plant diseases. These nutrients may increase the plant’s sensitivity to disease or may increase the plant’s resistance to these diseases. Methods: This research was designed to determine the effect of the nutrient’s nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on the incidence of root diseases affecting tomato seedling caused by Pythium ultimum. Pythium ultimum were isolated and identified through a combination of morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing. Result: The results of this research showed that nutrient elements (N, P and K) play a major role in increasing the tomato plants ability to resist root diseases caused by Pythium ultimum. Different concentrations of N, P and K showed low root disease incident on tomato seedlings caused by Pythium ultimum. The best concentrations of N, P and K were 20% each and with a lower percentage 10%. Nutrient elements are very important in the plant’s ability to resist diseases, but within specific quantities for each element.