MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH RHIZOSPHERE AND PHYLLOSPHERE OF SEEDLIM BLIGHT DISEASEOF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) PLANTS

Abstract

Microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of seedling blight disease of tomato plant (Solanum lyeopersicum) were investigated. Tomato seedlings that showed symptoms of seedling blight disease were collected from Malle farm (Lapai), Lambu farm, Dawaki (Suleja) and Unguwan Tukura farm in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. The fungal and bacterial species were isolated and identified using serial dilution and agar plate methods. The percentage occurrence of the isolates were Aspergillus niger (89%), Aspergillus flavus (83%),Fusarium oxysporum (60%), Microsporum gympseum (15%), Mucor pusillus (44 %), Penicillium citrinium (40%), Rhizopus nigricans (50%), Trichophyton megnini (45%), Bacillus subtilis (60%), Micrococcus luteus (33%), Bacillus megaterium (55%%) and Bacillus cereus (55%). The pathogenicity test conducted showed that the positive effect of the microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere and phyllosphere was pathogenic leading to seedling blight infection on healthy tomato plants, Similar to those symptoms from the various farms. The blight infections appeared on the healthy tomato plants after 14 days of inoculation with symptoms such as leaf wilting. stem blight, brownish colouration, collapse and death of seedlings of the tomato plants. This led to the reduction in quality and yields in tomato plant and loss of income for the farmers.