Induction of systemic resistance in tomato against Alternaria solani by biostimulants and vitamins [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Two field experiments were carried out during the two summer growing seasons of 2008 and 2009, at the Experimental Farm of Plant Pathology Dept., Fac. of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt, to investigate the effect of foliar application of chitosan, humic acid, seaweed extract and thiamine on inducing resistance against Alternaria solani to reduce its incidence in tomato plant. Results indicated that the foliar application of biostimulants decreased hydrogen peroxide accumulaton and suppressed the increase in electrolyte leakage percentage. Early blight disease tolerance in tomato plants was significantly enhanced by increasing catalase and peroxidase activities as well increased phenols, proline and total soluble sugars contents as a direct result to biostimulants foliar application. Thiamine at 100 mg/l and seaweed extract at 1000 mg/l were the most effective in this concern. These results confirm our primary laboratory findings which indicated incorporating different biostimulants to PDA caused significant reduction in mycelial growth of Alternaria solani fungus in comparison with the check treatment. It could be recommended that foliar application of biostimulants especially thiamine and seaweed extract of tomato plants will induce resistance to early blight and could be used widely because these agents are cheap, available, easy to use and environmental friendly.

Summary in Arabic.

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