Etiology of tree tomato (Solanum betaceum CAV.) diseases

Abstract

The present study had as objectives the identification of the causal agents associated with different pathologies in tree tomato (Solanum betaceumCav.) and the estimation of the disease prevalence in commercial lots located in tree tomato-producing regions of Antioquia, Colombia. Surveys were performed in the three main growing areas of the department of Antioquia, Colombia: the North, the East and the Southwest. Symptoms were recorded and tissue samples taken for pathogen isolation.  Tree tomato seedlings were inoculated with not previously identified diseases, and the pathogen postulates of Koch were confirmed.  Prevalence of each disease was determined for the time period tested of two years. Results suggested that the major pathogens for the tree tomato crop under field conditions in Antioquia during the period evaluated were Phytophthora infestans sensu lato, Alternaria sp., Xanthomonas sp., Colletotrichum sp., Spongospora subterranea, Verticillium sp., Clavibacter sp., Meloidogyne sp., and viral species classified into six genera: Potyvirus, Cucumovirus, Tospovirus, Tobamovirus, Potexvirus, and Polerovirus. The low percentage of relative identity of the sequences with known viruses merits further research. The diseases identified in the two years of sampling corresponded to those that developed under the specific conditions present such as the cultivated area, weather, and agronomical management for this period of time; therefore, the disease prevalence may change each growing season according to how these parameters vary. Clavibacter sp., S. subterranea and Verticillium sp., were reported as new pathogens for this crop. An accurate and timely diagnosis followed by a prompt and appropriate disease management will contribute to tree tomato production.

Key words: fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens, tamarillo.