Tomato is a popular vegetable crop that is cultivated widely across the globe. However, the cultivation of this crop comes with a lot of challenges, with damping off disease being one of them. Damping off disease in tomato nursery is caused by fungal pathogens that thrive in warm and humid conditions. The disease can cause significant damage to young tomato seedlings, resulting in high financial losses for farmers. In this article, we will discuss some of the control measures that can be adopted to manage damping off disease in tomato nursery.
1. Soil sterilization: The use of contaminated soil is the primary cause of damping off disease in tomato nursery. Therefore, soil sterilization is an effective way of controlling the disease. Soil sterilization can be achieved using steam, solarization, or chemicals. Soil sterilization with steam is the most effective method, but it is also the most expensive.
2. Seed treatment: Tomato seeds can be treated with fungicides or biologicals to prevent the occurrence of damping off disease. Fungicide seed treatment is the most popular method of seed treatment. However, biological seed treatment with beneficial microbes such as Trichoderma sp. is a promising approach that can be used to manage the disease.
3. Proper watering management: Overwatering and poor drainage are some of the factors that promote the growth and spread of fungal pathogens that cause damping off disease. Therefore, proper watering management is an essential control measure. Tomato seedlings should be watered early in the morning to allow for sufficient drying during the day. Overwatering should be avoided, and the soil should be well-drained.
4. Proper ventilation: Good ventilation helps to reduce humidity levels in the nursery, which is essential for controlling damping off disease. Adequate ventilation can be achieved by providing sufficient space between seedling trays or by using fans.
5. Crop rotation: Crop rotation can reduce the likelihood of damping off disease occurring in the nursery. Tomato seedlings should not be planted in the same area for two consecutive seasons since the disease-causing pathogens can build up in the soil.
In conclusion, damping off disease in tomato nursery is a significant threat that can cause severe damage to young tomato seedlings. However, with the right control measures in place, the disease can be managed effectively. Soil sterilization, seed treatment, proper watering management, ventilation, and crop rotation are some of the approaches that can be used to control damping off disease in tomato nurseries.