COULD CABBAGE LEAF DEBRIS BE USED FOR THE CONTROL OF FUSARIUM WILT OF PEPPER?

In intensive agricultural production with narrow crop rotations, Fusarium oxysporum, a plant pathogenic fungus causing the wilt disease of pepper, frequently develops an abundant population in the soil, which threatens production profitability. Reducing the inoculum level below a critical threshold is highly demanding because of the long-lasting chlamydospores that could remain in the soil for many years. Soil disinfection with methyl bromide was the most effective way to control this pathogen. However, the ban of methyl bromide uses increased interest in control alternatives. Many studies have shown that glucosinolates, secondary metabolites of plants from the Brassicaceae family, as well as their derived biologically active products, negatively affect plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi, insects, nematodes, and weeds. The aim of this research was to determine if cabbage leaf debris, as a by-product material in cabbage production, could be effectively used in the control of Fusarium wilt in pepper. Fresh cabbage leaves were blended and immediately incorporated in sterile substrate seven days before inoculation of pepper plants at the 5-7 leaf stage. Conventional fungicide captan and biofungicide based on Trichoderma asperellum were used as reference treatments. The assessment was performed 25 days after inoculation; the degree of wilting, plant growth parameters, and the length of necrosis were determined. Fresh cabbage leaves were highly effective in Fusarium wilt control (91.3% compared to control), indicating a great potential for their use in Fusarium wilt management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]