Control of Ralstonia solanacearum on Selected Solaneceous Crops in Greenhouse by Selected Soil Amendments

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.