Disease suppression on greenhouse tomatoes using plant waste compost

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Pathology
• Soil Science

Background:

• Yellow cedar sawdust is a common greenhouse growing medium.
• Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) causes significant disease in greenhouse tomatoes.
• Greenhouse crop waste is a potential resource for sustainable amendments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the disease suppression capabilities of a compost amendment derived from greenhouse crop waste.
• To determine the efficacy of this compost amendment in controlling Fusarium crown and root rot in tomatoes.
• To assess the impact of the compost amendment on tomato yield.

Main Methods:

• A compost amendment was produced from greenhouse crop waste using a controlled, in-vessel process.
• The compost amendment was tested as a seed cover, plug substitute, and mixed with yellow cedar sawdust (2:1 ratio).
• Greenhouse trials were conducted using Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) on susceptible tomato cultivars (Dombito).

Main Results:

• The compost amendment significantly reduced Fusarium crown and root rot in tomato seedlings.
• A mixture of 2:1 sawdust to compost amendment by volume proved most effective for disease suppression.
• Tomato yield increased by 74% over a nine-month growing season in FORL-infested soil amended with compost.

Conclusions:

• Compost amendment derived from greenhouse waste is a viable biological control agent against Fusarium crown and root rot.
• Incorporating compost amendment into growing media enhances tomato plant health and productivity.
• Sustainable waste management through composting can improve greenhouse agricultural sustainability.