MONITORING OF THE OCCURRENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF FUNGAL DISEASES ON TOMATO HYBRIDS IN GREENHOUSES

Abstract

The appearance and development of plant diseases are one of the limiting factors in the modern cultivation of every crop, and thus tomatoes. When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, special emphasis is placed on fungal diseases, since their appearance and development are more pronounced in such microclimates due to the increased values of temperature and humidity. This study aims to determine the occurrence, development, and intensity of fungal disease on different tomato hybrids in greenhouses, as well as to evaluate the differences between the observed hybrids. The research was conducted during the vegetation period of 2020 on family farms located in Srhinje and Radinovići (Visoko). Three commercial hybrids of F1 generation tomatoes were included, namely: ‘Panekra’, ‘Pink Rock’ and ‘Nazli’. Regular monitorings of all developmental stages of tomatoes were performed from the moment of sowing until harvest. As the most common symptoms were identified the following: leaf chlorosis, black spots on leaves, leaf blotches, drying of flowers and flower branches, fruit rot, velvety coatings on the leaves, and decreased plant growth. Plant material with specific disease symptoms was collected and subjected to laboratory tests using the isolation method on potato dextrose agar (PDA) to determine the causal agent of the disease. The following pathogens were identified: Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium sp., and Fulvia fulva.