Suppression of bacterial canker of tomato by composts

A. Yogev^1,2, M. Raviv², G. Kritzman³, Y. Hadar¹, R. Cohen⁴, B. Kirshner³ and J. Katan¹

Abstract
Suppression of Clavibacter michiganense subsp. michiganensis (CMM) by composts was studied in comparison to conducive peat.

Composts based on tomato or pepper residues combined with cattle or chicken manure reduced disease caused by CMM by between 79% and 100% under both natural infection of mature plants and intentional inoculation. Populations of CMM in composts declined to undetectable levels within 15– 20 days, while those in peat remained high for 35– 40 days. Similarly, the colonization of compost-grown tomato-plant tissues by the pathogen was reduced (0– 20% colonization), compared to plants growing in peat (53– 90% colonization) or perlite (30– 90% colonization).

We conclude that the plant-residue composts suppress CMM and can therefore serve as a component in integrated-management programs.


Source
Crop Protection (2009) 28: 97-103


Author Locations & Affiliations
(1) Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
(2) Department of Environmental Horticulture, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
(3) Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
(4) Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel


Posted April 2010