CONTROL METHODS OF THE LATE BLIGHT ATTACK (Phytophthora infestans) IN TOMATOES, IN THE ORGANIC CULTURE SYSTEM

Abstract

Tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is a serious disease causing global economic losses. In organic farming, where synthetic fungicides are prohibited, biopesticides made from plant extracts, minerals, and organic compounds offer a sustainable alternative. This study evaluated eight organic biopesticides - Bordeaux mixture, Copfort, Mimox, Algiforte, Altosan, nettle macerate, horsetail macerate, and Zeolite - for controlling tomato late blight under laboratory and field conditions in 2019. The effectiveness was assessed by measuring disease severity on vegetative and fruit parts and the inhibition of pathogen conidia germination.
Bordeaux mixture (0.5-0.75%) and Copfort (0.2-0.3%) were the most effective, significantly reducing blight severity compared to the untreated control. Mimox (0.2-0.3%) and Algiforte (0.3-0.5%) also provided consistent protection. Altosan, nettle macerate, and horsetail macerate showed moderate efficacy, while Zeolite showed low efficacy and is not recommended. The study demonstrates that Bordeaux mixture and Copfort have proven to be the most effective, significantly reducing disease severity. Being contact fungicides, they do not promote the development of resistant pathogen strains, making them sustainable solutions for the ecological protection of tomato crops.