Control of Ralstonia solanacearum on Selected Solaneceous Crops in Greenhouse by Selected Soil Amendments
E. K. Kago *
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Z. M. Kinyua
Plant Pathology Section, KALRO-Narl Kabete, P.O. Box 57811-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
J. M. Maingi
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
P. O. Okemo
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to establish the effect of selected soil amendments on Ralstonia solanacearum isolates in greenhouse on selected solaneceous crops.
Study Design: The study was laid out as randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split pot arrangement for two seasons in the greenhouse.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in Kenyattta University situated in Kiambu County about 20 km from Nairobi city along Nairobi-Thika road between July, 2017- September, 2017 and between November, 2017- January, 2018.
Methodology: The three host crops of interest (potatoes, tomatoes and capsicum) were inoculated with prepared pure bacterial isolates; 18 (2T-Kiambu-Low Land), 71(2A-Nyeri-Low Land), 67 (2A-Nyeri-High Land), 83 (2T-Kirinyaga-Highland) and MX (18/71/67/83). Potatoes, tomatoes and capsicum were planted in pots each with a radius of 0.07 m (area 0.015 m2).The experiment had a total of 450 pots having a total area of 6.93 m2. The treatments were ChalimTM, Super-hydro-grow polymer + Metham sodium, Metham sodium, Metham sodium & Orange peel, Super-hydro-grow polymer, Brassica tissues, ChalimTM + Super-hydro-grow polymer, Brassica tissue + Orange peel, Metham sodium + Super-hydro-grow polymer and Control (no amendments).
Results: There were significant differences (P≤0.05) in the bacterial wilt incidences in selected solaneceous crops between control and all the soil amendments used in season 1 and 2. Brassica tissue + Super-hydro-grow polymer was superior in reducing bacterial wilt incidences in selected solaneceous crops in all the R. solanacearum isolates from Kenyan highlands and lowlands both in season 1 and 2.
Conclusion: Organic and inorganic soil amendments could serve as a viable control of bacterial wilt in solaneceous crops caused by R. solanacearum in the greenhouse.
Keywords: Bacterial wilt, incidences, Ralstonia solanacearum, solaneceous crops.