Biological management of Fusarium wilt of Tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

The Fusarium wilt of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is a soil borne pathogen. Biological control of soil-borne plant pathogens through antagonist organisms can be a convenient method in control of disease. The fungal bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum and T. asperellum ) and bacterial bioagents ( Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus sp.) were tested for the management of Fusarium wilt of tomato caused by FOL under greenhouse condition. T. harzianum was superior in controlling the fungal wilt, followed by P. fluorescens compared to biocontrol by Bacillus sp. and chemical control by Mancozeb (75% WP). The application of T. harzianum exhibited the least disease incidence (25.43%). T. harzianum treatment resulted in better plant growth (plant height 105.13 cm, number of leaves per plant 71.12, main stem girth2.55 cm, leaf area 45 cm²) and increased yield contributing parameters and yields in tomatowhen compared to other treatments. Trichoderma harzianum is a potential alternate to chemical control of tomato wilt disease.