In vitro Efficacy of GRAS Chemicals, Botanicals and Essential Oils against Bacterial Soft Rot of Tomato Caused by Pectobacterium carotovora pv. carotovora

The tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), belonging to the Solanaceae family grown most extensively across worldwide. Soft rot possess a major challenge in tomato production, as microbial activity during the post harvest period can cause the fruit to deteriorate, making it unfit for consumption. Factors such as improper harvesting techniques, poor handling, substandard packaging and inadequate transportation practices contribute to bruising and microbial contamination, which accelerate decay. Tomato crop suffers from various fungal, bacterial and viral diseases. Among various diseases, Pectobacterium caratovora pv. caratovora was reported as the most common causal organism of bacterial soft rot and listed among the top ten of the economically important plant pathogenic bacteria In vitro efficacy of GRAS chemicals, botanicals and essential oils were assessed against Pectobacterium carotovora pv. carotovora causing soft rot of tomato using paper disc method. All seven GRAS chemicals tested significantly increased inhibited zone of bacterial growth of P. carotovora, over untreated control and inhibition zone was increased with increased in concentration of the chemicals tested. Sodium hypochlorite recorded maximum inhibition zone at 1% & 2% concentration followed by Ammonium bicarbonate and Calcium chloride. Among botanicals, Garlic showed maximum inhibition zone followed by Neem and Beetle vine. Among essential oils, Cinnamon oil showed maximum inhibition zone of pathogen followed by Mint oil and Clove oil. All the tested GRAS chemical, botanical and essential oils show the significant inhibition zone over control against Pectobacterium carotovora pv. carotovora.