Assessment of Economically Important Fungal Diseases of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Raya Valley, Southern Tigray, Ethiopia.

Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia. Though, the production of tomato was constrained by several biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors, diseases caused by fungal pathogens are the most important constraints limiting the productivity of the tomato. However, the importance and distribution status of the diseases has not been yet studied in Raya valley, Tigray region. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the relative importance and distribution of tomato fungal diseases in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia. The survey was conducted in 2018 and 2019 to assess the distribution and relative importance of the diseases limiting tomato production in the southern zone of Tigray. The assessment was carried out purposive multistage sampling procedures and systematically based on tomato fields at 5-10 km intervals along the main and feeder (accessible) roadsides on pre-planned routes in areas where tomato predominantly grown. Results indicated that late blight, early blight, septoria leaf spot, fusarium wilt and powdery mildew were among the most important fungal diseases observed in tomato fields of the study areas. The survey results revealed that tomato fungal diseases were prevalent and significantly (p<0.05) varied in disease intensity among the districts and peasant associations. The highest extent of prevalence and intensity of the diseases have been recorded from Raya Azebo than Raya Alamata district for both consecutive years. Similarly, under peasant association level there was a significant variation in prevalence and intensity of the diseases. Overall, the present survey showed that fungal diseases are found in a different extent of prevalence and intensity with different degrees of economic importance in the study areas. Therefore, investigation of the variability of the pathogens, association of agronomic practices and environmental conditions with the diseases should obtain the research focus. Besides, to sidestep the destruction and yield losses, all management practices must be coincided in the form of integrated disease management.