DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2018.v05i08.002

Pages: 430-434

Abstract: Seed treatment is an important tool used to protect the germinating embryo and seedling against soil borne damping-off pathogens. Despite the fact that synthetic fungicides are the dominating tool against damping off disease, continued use of these synthetic fungicides causes serious problems including fungicide resistance of the disease causing organisms, contamination of environment and adverse effects on other microbial communities. In this aspect, response of selected tomato germplasm to an alternative strategy; a method of seed treatment by means of commercial bleach (chlorox®) for reducing the damping-off disease has been tested in this experiment. This pot culture experiment was carried out in a factorial design with two factors, namely the tomato varieties (5 varieties; Thilina, K. C. 01, Rajitha, Money Maker and Platinum 701 F1) and seed treatments (3 treatments; thiram, chlorox® and control treatment) using three replications at Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Among the varieties tested, chlorox® treated Rajitha, Platinum 701 F1 and K. C. 01 controlled the damping-off disease as equally-efficient as commercial fungicide, thiram. Clorox® can be used to control the damping-off disease instead of synthetic fungicides which can reduce the development of fungal resistance, adverse high toxicity on other microbial communities and alarming social and environmental issues. In summary, our findings draw attention to the commercial bleach (chlorox®) as a promising new applicant for the control of damping-off in tomato varieties Rajitha, Platinum 701 F1 and K. C. 01.