U. Ahmad - Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Peshawar KP, Pakistan.
S. S. Alam - Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Peshawar KP, Pakistan.
M. Ahmad - Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Peshawar KP, Pakistan.
R. Asad Ali Khan - Plant Pathology Lab, Institute of Vegetable and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences. Beijing, People Republic of China.
S. Anwar - Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Peshawar KP, Pakistan.

To reduce pesticide resistance in plant pathogens, alternate approaches are needed to be explored. In this study, dried powder of Withania coagulans was evaluated for the management of Alternaria solani causing early blight disease in tomato both in vitro and in planta. Different dried powder doses (۵, ۱۰, and ۱۵% w/v) of different parts (succulent shoot, stem and leaves) of W. coagulans were tested against in vitro growth of Alternaria solani through food poisoned technique. Also, different dried powder doses (۱۵ and ۳۰ g kg-۱ soil) of different parts (succulent shoot, stem and leaves) of W. coagulans were applied to soil at different application times [۵, ۱۰, and ۱۵ Days Before Transplantation (DBT)] and were evaluated for the control of early blight in tomato plants under screen house conditions. Results from in vitro studies showed that the highest dose ۱۵% (w/v) and succulent shoot plant part showed a maximum antifungal activity. Results from screen house experiment showed that the highest dose of ۳۰ g kg-۱ soil and longest application time of ۱۵ DBT of succulent shoot dried powder suppressed the disease severity effectively in tomato plants (artificially inoculated with Alternaria solani) resulted in significantly higher root length, shoot length, and fresh biomass. Results of this study suggested that succulent shoot dried powder at ۳۰ g kg-۱ of soil applied at ۱۵ DBT can be used for the management of tomato early blight disease under screen house conditions.

Early blight, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, Plant powder.