EFFICACY OF SELECTED FUNGICIDES AGAINST BASAL STEM ROT OR WILT OF TOMATO CAUSED BY Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.

Abstract

The efficacy of selected fungicides was tested against the basal stem rot or wilt of tomato caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. An in vitro assay of fungicides revealed that mancozeb (Dithane M-45) was the most effective in suppressing the colony growth and sclerotia formation of S. rolfsii. Manganese ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (Maneb) also significantly reduced the colony growth of the pathogen but its effectivity was lesser when heated. Captan 'Captan) and thiophanate methyl (Fungitox) reduced growth to a lesser extent while benomyl (Benlate) reduced colony growth only when not subjected to heat.
Results of the field evaluation further proved the effectiveness of Dithane M-45 and Maneb in controlling sclerotium wilt in the field. These fungicides produced the lowest disease incidence and highest percent protection on the plants during the wet season and dry season trials. Fungitox was less effective than Dithane M-45 and Maneb while Benlate was ineffective in controlling sclerotium wilt in the field.