Integrated approach to TYLCD management in Sardinia (Italy)

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Horticultural Science
• Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IP&DM)

Background:

• Tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) re-emerged in Sardinia, Italy, in 2003, causing significant yield losses in protected tomato crops.
• Traditional TYLCD management, relying on chemical control of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and 40-mesh greenhouse screening, proved insufficient.
• There is a need for alternative, reliable practices for integrated pest and disease management (IP&DM) programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of UV-reflective mulches (UVRM) and non-woven row covers (NWRC) as alternative TYLCD management strategies.
• To assess the impact of acibenzolar-S-methyl, a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) elicitor, on TYLCD incidence and tomato crop performance.
• To determine the potential of these practices for implementation in IP&DM programs for greenhouse tomatoes.

Main Methods:

• Two field experiments were conducted on greenhouse tomato crops planted in summer 2007 and 2008.
• Treatments included UV-reflective mulches (UVRM), non-woven row covers (NWRC), and an uncovered control on clear mulch.
• Acibenzolar-S-methyl (SAR elicitor) was applied as a subplot factor in a split-plot design.

Main Results:

• In 2007, low TYLCD incidence prevented comparative analysis, but UVRM significantly increased plant growth and yield.
• In 2008, NWRC and UVRM initially slowed TYLCD progression compared to the control, but differences became non-significant over time without SAR elicitor.
• The combination of UVRM or NWRC with acibenzolar-S-methyl significantly reduced TYLCD incidence compared to the control in the later stages of the 2008 cropping period.

Conclusions:

• All tested control measures show potential for managing TYLCD in greenhouse tomatoes.
• UV-reflective mulch (UVRM) and non-woven row cover (NWRC) in combination with acibenzolar-S-methyl yielded the most promising results for TYLCD control.
• UV-reflective mulch warrants further investigation due to its positive impact on plant growth, yield, and TYLCD infection in summer-planted tomatoes.