Evaluation of tomato genotypes for tolerance to major diseases in Uganda

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a priority vegetable in Uganda, but due to its limited genetic base, its cultivated types are prone to a variety of diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate new tomato genotypes for resistance to major tomato diseases under hotspot conditions in Uganda. Fourty-five tomato genotypes were evaluated for reactions to tomato bacterial wilt, tomato bacterial speck, early blight and late blight. The study was conducted for two rainy seasons in 2019, at the National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge in Uganda. Data for severity and incidence were collected at two-week intervals after transplanting. Twelve genotypes (Nouvella F1, Rambo F1, Commando F1, AVTO1315, AVTO922, AVTO1701, AVTO1219, AVTO1464, MT56, ADV1287A, Pruna and Vega) exhibited high levels of tolerance to bacterial wilt; while bacterial speck presented mild symptoms majorly seen on Vega, Zodiac and AVTO9802. Rhino, AVTO1418, AVTO1314, Eureka, Roma VFN, MT56, Pinktop, Assila F1, Money-maker, AVTO0922 and AVTO1464 were the least affected by early blight; while AVTO1219, AVTO1701, ADV12021, ADV12076 and ADV1287A expressed low AUDPC values for late blight. Overall, AVTO1315 was the best yielder (30.8 metric tonnes ha-1), followed by AVTO0301 (29.0 t ha-1) and Nouvella F1 (26.1 t ha-1). Among the tomato genotypes evaluated, we recommend AVTO1701, AVTO0922, AVTO1464, AVTO0301 AVTO1315, AVTO1219, Pruna, Vega, ADV1287A and MT56 for the national performance trials.