Tomato Crop Improvement Using Ozone Disinfection of Irrigation Water.

Plant–parasitic nematodes diminish the yield of tomato crops worldwide. Irrigation water may be contaminated with such parasites, including Meloidogyne enterolobii. In this study, ozone treatment was applied to inactivate M. enterolobii eggs. Eggs were rendered inviable in water after exposure to 0.55 mgO3 L−1 ozone residual for 15 min. Additionally, the effect of temperature, alkalinity, and organic matter of the water were evaluated. The results showed that ozonation is an effective and promising alternative method for nematode control in irrigation water, which could reduce tomato crop infestation caused by plant–parasitic nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]