Efficacy of some conventional fungicides and essential oils against tomato early blight disease

Fungicidal activity of nine selected conventional fungicides, identified five plant oils and their combined effect against A. solani, the causal pathogen of early blight on tomato. GC-MS analysis of the tested oils indicated that terpene hydrocarbons (97%) with cinnamaldehyde as the major compound; sulfur compounds; fatty acids and organo-sulfur-containing compounds were the main components in cinnamon, garlic, mustard and onion oils, respectively. In vitro, Speedcide® (difenoconazole) and Cabrioduo® (Dimethomorph + Pyraclostrobin) were the most effective against the A. solani fungus with EC50 values of 94.6 and 88.6 ppm respectively. Toledo® (Tebuconzole) achieved EC50 value of 631.2 ppm. Roxyl-M® was significantly more effective than Roxyl–plus® or Remik®. Speedcide® alone or mixed with mandipropamid or azoxystrobin in Revus-Top® or Cruze® were the lowest effective in vitro. Garlic and mustard oils were more effective in liquid media than solid one. Cinnamon, onion, garlic and bitter almond oils caused moderate fungi-toxicity against early blight pathogen and could be implemented in the IPM program. Lower EC50 values were obtained in case of combinations of fungicides with oils than separate treatments.  Effect of the active conventional fungicides and plant oils on disease indices, relative disease control, chlorophyll content, sugar contents and poly phenol oxidase in tomato plants was also studied.