Evaluation of selected fungicides for the management of tomato fungal diseases in central Uganda

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important and highly consumed vegetables in Uganda but the production is highly impeded by fungal diseases. These fungal diseases are efficiently controlled by the use of fungicides. This field study was carried out at MUARIK to evaluate the comparative efficacy of some three selected fungicides in managing fungal diseases of tomato in central Uganda. The test fungicides include Amazobin 325SC (Difenoconazole 125g/L + Azoxystrobin 200g/L SC), Azoplus 325SC (Difenoconazole 125g/L + Azoxystrobin 200g/L SC) and Mancota 72WP (Mancozeb 640g/kg + metalaxy 80g/kg WP) compared to Harvestor XL (Azoxystrobin). The treatments were applied at recommended rate, 50% less of the recommended rate and 50% more of the recommended rate all laid in randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied after every two weeks from two weeks after transplanting and data collected one week after application of treatment application. Data was collected on disease incidence and severity and number of marketable fruits. The diseases evaluated were early blight and late blight. All the test fungicides at every rate were significantly effective that the untreated control in reducing severity and subsequently increased fruit number compared to the untreated control. The higher rates regardless of the fungicide all reduced disease severity. The results suggested that Mancota 72WP at 50% more of the recommended rate, Mancota 72WP at the recommended rate and Azoplus 325 SC at 50% more of the recommended rate gave the most effective disease control and therefore they are recommended for acceptable fungal disease control. It is also recommended that more trials on the efficacy of these tested fungicides in different agro-ecological areas in Uganda should be done in order to come up with a concrete evidence to support the results.