Some studies on the control of tomato damping-of caused agent

Damping-off disease commonly occurs in nursery plant under field conditions. Incidence of the disease was highest at village Darya Khan Nahiyoun (65.0%) followed by Khatian Station (60.0%) and Rahooki (55.0%). The lowest was recorded at Khesano Mori (35.0%). Damping-off fungi viz., Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici, Macrophomina phaseolina, Alternaria solani and Verticillium albo-atrum were isolated rotted rot pieces of tomato seedlings. Rhizoctonia solani was isolated with highest frequency (60.0%). Pathogenicity test of Rhizoctonia solani gave the positive results. The maximum numbers of infected plants were obtained after 30 days of sowing from both the treatments, infested seed and soil. The disease incidence was highest in infested seed (65.625%). Four seed dressing fungicides Topsin-M, Benlate, Copper Oxychloride and Derosal were used as seed treatment and soil drench against the fungus, Rhizoctonia solani. Topsin- M significantly increased the seed germination (7 and 15 days of sowing), plant growth and number of healthy plants both seed treatment and soil drench followed by Benlate as compared to copper oxychloride, Derosal and Untreated seeds and soil. Fungicides applied as soil was found as the best method than the fungicides used as seed treatment. The maximum disease was recorded in tomato plants collected from village Darya Khan Nahiyoun (65.00%) followed by Khatian Station (60.00%) Rhizoctonia solani (Kuhn) was insolated as most predominant fungus with highest frequency (60.00%) followed by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici. Rhizoctonia solani was found as more pathogenic on seeds artificially inoculated with the fungus than the soil infested with the fresh culture of the fungus. The maximum disease incidence was recorded from infested seed (65.62%) Topsin-M was found as the best fungicide increasing seed germination, number of plants and plant growth when used as seed treat m ent as well as soil drench.