Alternative Methods of Control for Phytophthora nicotianae of Tobacco

• Main Author: Holdcroft, Anna M
• Format: Others
• Published: UKnowledge 2013
• Subjects: Phytophthora nicotianae; black shank; tobacco; Soil-Set; biofumigation; Agriculture; Plant Pathology
• Online Access: http://uknowledge.uky.edu/plantpath_etds/5; http://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=plantpath_etds

Kentucky is the nation’s leading producer of burley tobacco and the crop’s most economically important disease is black shank, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae (Pn). Current management is effective, however, problems with expense and pathogen persistence are issues. Two alternative methods for control of Pn were examined: biofumigation and soil application of an organic, yeast fermentation‐derived product (Soil‐Set). Field studies in 2009 and 2010 found no effect on populations of fungi, disease severity of Pn, and yield between mustard‐ and wheat‐amended plots. Experiments in the greenhouse suggested that survival of Pn was impacted by biomass rather than biofumigation. Biofumigation is not a viable option for controlling black shank in tobacco production. Soil‐Set was inhibitory against mycelial growth of Pn on corn meal agar rather than V8 juice. Results from a greenhouse study indicated that increasing the dose of Soil‐Set by four times what is recommended held the most potential for suppression of Pn in a burley variety with no resistance. A field study in 2012 found no differences among treatments in reducing severity of Pn in a variety with high resistance. More field and greenhouse studies need to be conducted to examine the potential of Soil‐Set in tobacco production.