Damping-off in tomato seedlings is a fungal disease caused by pathogens like Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Phytophthora. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and effective control measures to protect your tomato crop from seedling rot and early-stage collapse.
What is Damping Off Disease in Tomato?
Damping off disease in tomatoes is a common and destructive problem, especially during the early stages of seedling development. It is caused by various soil-borne fungi, including species of Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease gets its name from the characteristic symptoms of seedlings wilting at the soil level and collapsing, as if they are "damping off" at the base.
Classification Of Damping Off in Tomato
|
Type of Infestation |
Disease |
|
Common Name |
Damping Off |
|
Scientific Name |
Pythium aphanidermatum |
|
Category of Plant Disease |
Fungal Disease |
|
Affected parts of plant |
Seed, Stem, Root |
Damage causing stage of Damping Off in Tomatoes:
- Pre-Emergence Stage: In the pre-emergence phase the seedlings are killed just before they reach the soil surface. The young radical and the plumule are killed and there is complete rotting of the seedlings.
- post-emergence: Post-emergence phase is characterized by the infection of the young, juvenile tissues of the collar at the ground level. The infected tissues become soft and water soaked. The seedlings topple over or collapse.
Favorable factors for Damping Off in Tomatoes:
- High humidity, high soil moisture, cloudiness and low temperatures below 24°C for a few days .
- Crowded seedlings, dampness due to high rainfall, poor drainage and excess of soil solutes.
Symptoms of Damping Off in Tomatoes:
- The first symptom of the disease is clearing of the veinlets and chlorosis of the leaves
- The younger leaves may die in succession and the entire may wilt and die in a course of a few days.
- In young plants, symptoms consist of clearing of vein let and dropping of petioles.
- In the field, yellowing of the lower leaves first and affected leaflets wilt and die.
Control measures for Damping Off in Tomato:
The damping off disease in Tomato is effectively controlled by cultural, biological and chemical control methods.
Cultural Control Method of Damping Off in Tomatoes:
Biological and Chemical Control Measures Of Damping Off in Tomato:
|
Product |
Technical Name |
Type |
Stages |
Dosage |
Method of Application |
|
Bio-Fungicide |
Early vegetative stage and throughout the growing season |
1.5-2 Liter Per Acre |
Foliar spray |
||
| METAXEL |
Metalaxyl 35 % ws |
Chemical Fungicide |
regular intervals (usually 7-14 days) throughout the growing season, starting before disease symptoms appear. |
1.5 g/L of water( For Large Applications 150-300 ml per Acre ) |
Seed treatment and Foliar spray |
|
Mancozeb 75% WP |
Chemical Fungicide |
Early Growth Stage, Pre-flowering or Budding Stage, Curative Application |
500gm per Acre. |
foliar sprays, seed treatment |
|
|
Copper oxychloride 50 % wp |
Chemical Fungicide |
Early Growth Stage, Pre-flowering or Budding Stage, Curative Application |
2gm/ltr |
foliar sprays |
|
|
Trichoderma Harzianum 1% WP |
Bio-Fungicide |
Before sowing, Early vegetative stage |
2.5 kg with 50 kg Farm Yard Manure and broadcast in one hectare field before sowing. |
broadcast |
FAQS Related to Damping Off disease in Tomato
Q. What is the cause of Damping Off?
A. Pythium aphanidertum (Edson) Fitzp is the causal organism of damping off in Tomato, grows in high humidity, high temperature and cloudiness.
Q. What is the best fungicide for Damping Off in Tomatoes?
A. The best fungicide for Damping Off in Tomatoes Katyayani Metaxel applied in 1.5 g/L of water ( For Large Applications 150-300 ml per Acre )
Q. What is the causal agent of damping-off disease in tomatoes?
A. The causal agent of damping-off disease in tomatoes is Pythium apandidermatum.
