Screening of fifteen tomato varieties for resistance to early blight disease

Early blight caused by Alternaria species is one of the major tomato diseases worldwide, causing losses of up to 86% of yield. Identifying and cultivating resistant varieties is the best method for disease management. Considering the prevalence and importance of diseases in Iran, this study was conducted to identify resistant cultivars among 15 available varieties.

In Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province in southwestern Iran, a severely affected tomato field by the disease was visited and samples of the diseased plants were taken. The pathogenic fungus was isolated on potato dextrose agar medium from the diseased tissues of the plant after their surface disinfection and after its purification by the single spore method and its morphological properties were examined and measured. The collected data were compared with the descriptions of Alternaria species and based on that, the pathogen was identified. Seedlings of 15 tomato varieties were inoculated with a conidia suspension at the 4-leaf stage in a completely randomized statistical design and maintained in a growth chamber with a temperature of 28oC, relative humidity of 90%, and a photoperiod of 16 hours of light and eight hours of darkness. Eighteen days after inoculation, the response of each cultivar to the disease was determined by calculating the percentage of infected leaves as well as the number and size of spots, and the disease index.

Alternaria alternata has been identified as the cause of early blight in tomatoes in this region. Varieties 10552, King Stone, Super Chief and Ventero with minimal symptoms were scored as resistant; 4129, 3725, 4224, Retino, Aras, Flat 111 and Super Pooya as semi-resistant and 7806, Early Pooya, 11057 and CH Pooya were known to be susceptible to the disease.

Cultivation of resistant or semi-resistant varieties can be recommended for disease control. The occurrence of tomato blight disease caused by A. alternata is reporting here for the first time from the region.