Phytophthora capsici: a soilborne pathogen dangerous on grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum × S. hirsutum) in Italy

Phytophthora capsici: a soilborne pathogen dangerous on grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum × S. hirsutum) in Italy

2012

E09328

During an extensive survey carried out in Piedmont (northern Italy) aimed at identifying the emerging soilborne diseases affecting tomato in commercial fields where alternatives to methyl bromide have been implemented in response to national and international regulations, sudden collapse of tomato cv. Tomahawk plants grafted on cultivar Beaufort, were repeatedly observed in a commercial plastic tunnel operation. Affected plants suddenly collapsed 60 days after transplant during May 2010. Symptoms included chlorosis, stunting, and severe root and crown rot, leading to sudden collapse of approximately 25% of the plants within 60 days of transplant. Based on morphological characteristics, sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA, and pathogenicity tests, the causal agent was identified as P. capsici. This is thought to be the first report of P. capsici on the grafted tomato (S. lycopersicum x S. hirsutum) in Italy. The economic importance of the disease can increase due to the expanding use of grafted tomato plants.

96(12):1830, PLANT DISEASE

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