EVALUATION OF IN VITRO EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTED FUNGICIDES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF EARLY BLIGHT OF TOMATO CAUSED BY ALTERNARIA SOLANI IN ETHIOPIA

Tomato is one of the most popular vegetables grown throughout the world in general and in Ethiopia in particular. Production of the crop is constrained by different diseases and the disease caused by the early blight pathogen, Alternaria solani, is among the major ones. Early blight has been considered as commonly occurring and causing a significant economic impact on the yield and quality of the crops. Major tomato diseases in general and early blight, in particular, could be best managed by integrating a number of control practices and the application of fungicides. The application of fungicides is the most convenient and predominant way for disease control in the absence of resistant varieties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of some selected fungicides with the objectives to assess in vitro efficacy of fungicides on the growth and sensitivity of pathogens, in vitro tolerance of pathogens to fungicides, and their effectiveness as potential foliar sprays against A. solani. A. solani was isolated from tomatoes showing typical early blight symptoms. Five fungicides viz. URGI 75% WP, Carbancholar 50%, Orozole 25 EC, Agro Laxyl MZ 63.5 WP, and Mancodex Super 72 WP were tested against the pathogen using poisoned food technique. The highest percentage reduction in the growth of A. solani was recorded with Orozole 25 EC followed by Agro Laxyl MZ 63.5 WP resulting in 100% and 56.5% inhibition in mycelial growth respectively. On the other hand, Carbancholar 50% was found the least effective in reducing the mycelial growth of A. Solani. Fungicides that showed better in vitro efficacy could be further tested for their efficacies under field conditions and can be verified for economic validity. The study also showed the potential effectiveness of fungicides for the management of early blight on tomatoes.