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Tomato is attributed as a global host for root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) soliciting ponderous damage. Using biocontrol agents to control plant parasitic nematodes is a well-established, green approach in advance of synthetic nematicides. The role of Bacillus spp. in inciting physiological and biochemical alterations in nematode infestation is discussed in the present study. The susceptible (PKM-1) and resistant (Hisar Lalit) tomato cultivars treated with Bacillus pumilus augmented the shoot length, root length and biomass of plants compared to the standard check, Pseudomonas fluorescens, followed by B. megaterium. Accordingly, all the biocontrol agent-treated susceptible plants showed reduced galling and exhibited a root gall index of 3 (moderately resistant). Contrarily, all the resistant plants showed highly resistant reactions. B. pumilus showed the topmost expression of all the biochemical enzymes like peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and total phenols. Conclusively, B. pumilus was found to be the most potential in reducing nematode infestation by embellishing the plant growth and enhancing defense-related enzymes in tomatoes.

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The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most important pests causing significant economic losses in plant species belongingthe Solanaceae family. The preferred management method for T. absoluta currently involves insecticide application. However, beside the undesired effects of insecticides, chemical treatments can also negatively impact the efficiency of integrated pest management programs (IPM). Bacillus thuringiensis (Shigetane 1902) (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt) is a pathogen with formulations used as host-specific bioinsecticides. These formulations decompose quickly in the environment, thereby reducing non-target effects and residue problems compared to chemical pesticides. In this study, the effectiveness of six commercial Bt products, belonging to aizawai and kurstaki strains, against T. absoluta was assessed under laboratory conditions, using manufacturer-recommended doses. The efficacy of the Bt products varied between 70 and 97.5%. The lowest and highest mortalities were recorded in B. thuringiensis var. aizawai and B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki products, respectively. Mortality reached 100% within three days following insecticide treatments, whereas peak mortality in Bt applications was noted after a post-treatment period of fifteen days. These findings highlight the potential of certain Bt products as effective components of IPM programs for T. absoluta, suggesting the need for further field studies to optimize their use in agricultural practices.

 

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ABSTRACT Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was detected in tomato leaf and fruit samples collected from Viiramin reyion in Tehran province using indicator test plants including Petunia hybrida, Nicatiana glutinosa, N. tabacum cv. Snmsun NN, N. clevelandit and N. benthamiana and seroloyical tests. Small browinsh local necrotic lesions appeared on P. hybrida leaves 2-4 days post-inoculation. Systemic symptoms included concentric ring spots on leaves, stem necrosis, wilting and tissue collapse of plants 7-10 days following the inoculation. Among 145 tomato samples collected from Ghazvin, Hashtgerd, Karaj, Malard, Shahriar and Varamin in Tehran province, only Varamin samples were infected with TSWV using EL1SA, DIBA and SSEM. TSWV host range specificity and symptom expression were tested on Capsicum annuum L., Chenopodium amaranticolor I«, Citrullus vulgaris L., Oicumis melo var. inodorus, C. mela var. reticukUus, C. salivas L., Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Phasenlus vulgaris L., Solatium melongena 1- and S. tuberosum. Typical symptoms on these plants included concentric ring spots, chlorosis, vein clearing, tissue necrosis, stunting and local lesion formation. Antiserum prepared against a partially purified TSWV preparation cross-reacted with TSWV-infected tomato samples.

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In this study two Bacillus pumilus including ToIrFT- KC806241 and ToIrMA-KC806242 were obtained from tomato fields and characterized based on phenotypic and molecular properties. Their possibility to reduce root knot disease of tomato caused by Meloidogyne javanica was evaluated. The experiments were done in lab and under pot conditions. Application of the ToIr-MA against M. javanica reduced the number of galls and eggs. Preliminary results indicated that the ToIr-MA has an ability to produce proteolytic enzymes in lab conditions. It seems that the bacterial culture filtrates can suppress egg hatching and increase juvenile's mortality, but the role of these metabolites in disease suppression needs to be investigated. Significant enhancement in root and shoot length (33%) and dry root and shoot weight (64 and 67%) was also recorded over usage of strain ToIr-MA in comparison to untreated controls. Additionally, survival of bacterial strains in rhizosphere and increases in population density were seen using root colonization assay. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such B. pumilus strain with nematicidal activity against M. javanica has been reported in Iran which may suggest to manage disease and change microbial population dynamics in the rhizosphere.  

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In 2010- 2012 surveys, witches'- boom disease of tomato was observed in Borazjan area (Bushehr province, Iran). Agent of the disease was transmitted from tomato to tomato and eggplant by grafting and to Madagascar periwinkle via dodder inoculation, inducing phytoplasma-type symptoms in inoculated plants. Presence of phytoplasma in naturally affected tomatoes and all symptomatic graft and dodder inoculated plants was confirmed by direct and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using primer pairs P₁/P₇ and R₁₆F_2n/R₁₆R₂. BLAST search and phylogenetic analysis of 16SrDNA showed that detected phytoplasma belonged to peanut witches'- broom (16SrII) group. Phylogenetic analysis, percent homology and virtual RFLP indicated that, as a member of 16SrII group, Borazjan tomato witches’- broom (BTWB) phytoplasma together with Bushehr eggplant and alfalfa witches’- broom (BEWB and BAWB, respectively) phytoplasmas were classified with Candidatus Phytoplasma australasia, a phytoplasma related to 16SrII-D subgroup. Based on the same analysis, BTWB, BEWB and BAWB phytoplasmas were differentiable from three other Iranian 16SrII related phytoplasmas associated with alfalfa witches'- broom diseases in Yazd and Fars provinces and lime witches'- broom disease in southern Iran.This is the first report of tomato witches'- broom disease and characterization of its associated phytoplasma in Iran.

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Tomato is an important vegetable crop in Iran. Recently symptoms associated with phytoplasma disease were observed in tomato cultivars in Karaj vicinity. The phytoplasmas were detected and characterized using single-tube nested PCR and RFLP. The universal primer pairs amplified the target DNA with expected sizes from symptomatic samples in direct PCR and single-tube nested PCR. The patterns of RFLP analysis obtained from plants with symptoms of yellowing and showing a bushy aspect corresponded to the profile of tomato big bud phytoplasma–subgroup 16SrI, and those detected from plants with symptoms of shoot proliferation and swollen and virescent buds belonged to tomato big bud phytoplasma–subgroup 16SrVI. Mobeen was the most susceptible cultivar with 23% natural infection, and Alex, Raha, Sadeen 21, and Sadeen 95 cultivars showed no symptoms of disease. Lack of symptoms in the latter cultivars might be due to inefficient transmission of phytoplasma by vectors or their resistance or tolerance to disease.

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Field experiments were conducted to determine the optimum application rate of sunn hemp Crotalaria juncea leaf residue in the management of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato. Sunn hemp applied at rates of 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 kg/ha showed a varied effect on second stage juveniles of M. incognita. There were no differences in plant height and stem girth. The 6 kg/ha treatment reduced the M. incognita population by 94% compared with the control. The highest yield of tomato (168.7 kg/ha) was recorded in 6 kg/ha treatment of sunn hemp.

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The objective was to study the population development of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) on tomato in greenhouse conditions at Droh. The trial assessed the occurrence of T. absoluta adults from the month of October to May in traps; a low numbers is noted. The high numbers recorded (170 adults/greenhouse) are caught at the end of crop cycle. The mean number of capture is 22 adults/ week/ trap. Regarding the other developmental stages, immatures of T. absoluta are also very low mainly at the beginning of the crop season. The highest numbers of immature stages recorded is: 36 eggs per 30 leaves on 19 April 2012, 14 larvae 19 April and 3 May 2012. One pupa is recorded on 17 November 2011 and 26 January 2012. During the survey, no natural enemies are detected on the different developmental stages of T. absoluta.

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Tuta absoluta(Meyrick) is a serious pest of tomato throughout the world. The life history and the life table parameters of T. absolutawere studied on 12 different commercial tomato cultivars. The longest larval developmental period (12.92 ± 0.11 days), the longest total developmental time (26.20 ± 0.22 days), the longest total pre-oviposition period (29.31 ± 0.63 days) and the shortest oviposition period (5.08 ± 0.43 days) were recorded on Korral cultivar. The highest pupal mortality was found on Korral (23.53%) and the lowest larval and pupal growth indices were observed on Korral (6.57and 8.87, respectively). The highest and the lowest overall mortalities were observed on Korral (35.00%) and on Valouro (21.67%), respectively. The lowest and the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) were found on Korral (0.1046 ± 0.0005 day^-1) and on Valouro (0.1584 ± 0.0002 day^-1) cultivars. Also the lowest finite rate of increase (λ) (1.1102 day^-1) and the highest doubling time (6.63 days) of the tomato leafminer were observed on Korral cultivar. Therefore, it was concluded that among the 12 tomato cultivars that were studied in this research, Korral was relatively unsuitable to T. absolutaand can be used in the integrated control programs (IPM) of this pest.

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Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most destructive pests of tomato in many parts of the world including Iran. Field studies were conducted to determine the short and long term effects of Bacillus thuringiensis var Kurstaki (Bt), azadirachtin (AZ), a mix of AZ + Bt, and indoxacarb, as a current chemical insecticide, on T. absoluta larvae. Also, effects of the insecticides were studied on the coexisting generalist predators, Coccinella septempunctata L., Chrysoperla carnea Stephens and Syritta sp. Sampling of T. absoluta and its coexisting generalist predators were performed 1 day before treatment (DBT) and one, 5, 8, 14 and 19 days after treatment (DAT). The results indicated significant short term effect of indoxacarb on the pest larvae. Indoxacarb reduced T. absoluta density and damages. Bt, AZ and mixture of them significantly suppressed the larval density at 19 DAT and caused significant reduction in leaf, stem and fruit damage. The highest long term effect on the pest abundance and damage were observed in Az + Bt caused 100% reduction in fruit and foliage damage compared to the control. The highest and lowest adverse effects on C. carnea, C. septempunctat and Serrita sp. were observed in indoxacarb and Bt treatments, respectively. Findings of this study imply that the mixture of Az + Bt has the highest selective toxicity on the pest and the lowest effect on its coexisting generalist predators.  

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This is the first report of two ectoparasitoid wasps, Elachertus inunctus (Nees, 1834) in Iran and Elachertus pulcher (Erdös, 1961) (Hym.: Eulophidae) in the world, that parasitize larvae of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lep.: Gelechiidae). The specimens were collected from tomato fields and greenhouses in Ahwaz, Khouzestan province (south west of Iran). Both species are new records for fauna of Iran. The knowledge about these parasitoids is still scanty. The potential of these parasitoids for biological control of T. absoluta in tomato fields and greenhouses should be investigated.

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Beet curly top Iran virus (BCTIV) is a member of the genus Becurtovirus (family Geminiviridae) which constrain host crop production in various geographical regions in Iran. This virus infects several crops such as sugar beet Beta vulgaris and tomato Solanum lycopersicum. BCTIV infected tomato shows leaf curling, leaf distortion and stunting. In this study, we investigated the response of various tomato cultivars to BCTIV infection using an infectious clone of BCTIV under glasshouse condition at the University of Zanjan in 2013-2014. Based on a completely randomized design experiment twelve tomato cultivars were tested for their reaction to BCTIV infection. The replication of virus and symptom production was recorded and analyzed. Based on the obtained coefficient of infection and disease severity index, none of the tested cultivars was found resistance to the virus infection. However, one of the tested cultivars, Super Chief, showed no leaf curling symptom and the virus replicated at a significantly lower level in this cultivar as compared to a susceptible cultivar, Alindi 811, using quantitative PCR. Tomato cultivars including Grosse Lisse and Early Eurbana were grouped as susceptible while the other cultivars including Super Star were moderately susceptible to the virus infection. Therefore, growing this cultivar shows promise for an increase of yields from tomato plants prone to BCTIV infection after complementary field experiments. The screening of more cultivars or wild-type tomatoes for the identification of gene/s providing resistance to this viral disease is suggested.

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Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) is the causal agent of vascular wilt in tomato, an important plant disease in Iran. Four monogenic resistance genes in tomato are used for identification of races of Fol and their corresponding avirulence genes Avr1, Avr2 and Avr3 were identified in pathogen one of which, Avr2, is f.sp. specific. Hence they can serve as reliable markers for racial identity and f.sp discrimination. These markers have been used for strains from other countries except Iran. Furthermore, a point mutation in Avr3 can lead to enhanced virulence of Fol on a susceptible tomato cultivar. To identify forma specialis and racial identity, Avr genes were studied in a collection of Iranian strains. Results revealed that PCR assay is very efficient in distinguishing between non-pathogenic and low virulence strains and in the vast majority of strains, avirulence genotype was consistent with Fol race1. Furthermore, to determine whether allelic variation of Avr3 could separate strains of different degrees of virulence, Avr3 wassequenced in Fol strains with high and low virulence. The resultsrevealed that allelicvariation of Avr3 was not correlated with degree of virulence in Iranian strains.
 

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Endophytic and epiphytic bacteria have been reported as agents of bio-control of diseases and plant growth promotors. Here, in vitro and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the action of two microbial strains; Aureobasidium pullulans and Pantoea agglomerans, on biocontrol of bacterial canker and growth promotion of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Campbell 33). Two frequencies of treatment were used to assess their potential effect (15 and 30 days between two subsequent treatments). The two strains were able to inhibit, in vitro, the growth of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis the causative agent of tomato canker. Also, their antagonistic effects were confirmed in greenhouse conditions. Indeed, bacterial canker incidence in tomato plants treated with A. pullulans and P. agglomerans separately or in mixture was significantly less severe (16%) compared to the positive control (83%). The treatment frequency (intervals of 15 or 30 days) and the choice of strains to inoculate (separated or combined strains) appear to be essential for obtaining significant results. Consequently, both A. pullulans and P. agglomerans strains highly reduced incidence of bacterial canker particularly when tomato plants were treated at a frequency of fifteen days

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  In order to increase the heat efficiency of solar driers a shelf type solar dryer with two collectors was designed and constructed in Agriculture Research Center of West Azarbaijan, and used to dry tomatoes slices. This experiment was conducted by complete randomized factorial experimental design in 2 factors and 4 replicates. The first factor was pretreatment in 3 levels, without pretreatment (control), dipping in boiling water for 15 second and dipping in 2/5% boiling brine for 10 seconds and second factor was drying method in two levels, open sun drying and shelf type solar dryer. The analysis of the results showed that average temperature of inside of the solar dryer in first and second years were 9/5  and 12 higher than the average ambient temperature respectively. The results also showed that in the first year the moisture contents of dried tomatoes produced using solar dryer was about 25% the lower than that produced by open sun drying, while in second year moisture contents were not significantly different. Also blanched slices in 2/5 % boiling brine had little damage, more rehydration ratio and better color in comparasion with other treatments. The percentage of damage and contamination of the sliced produced using solar dryer was reduced by 40% in comparison with. The samples dried in open air. Therefore according to the results obtained, it is recommended to blanch slices with 2/5 % boiling brine solution for 10 seconds to get a better results.  

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Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, is the most destructive pest of tomato in Iran. Resistance levels of six tomato cultivars to the pest damage were evaluated during two tomato growing seasons (2014-2015). Samplings were done weekly. Leaf and fruit damages as well as the total yield of the cultivars were compared. Furthermore, leaf trichome density was evaluated. The highest to lowest leaf infestation rates were recorded for the Primo early, CaljN3, Petomek, Rio grande, Early urbana and Super 2270 cultivars respectively. Fruit infestation rate in Early urbana was significantly lower than the other cultivars in both growing seasons. Total yield of tomato (from the highest to the lowest) belonged to Super 2270, Early urbana, Rio grande, Petomek, Calj N3 and Primo early cultivars.
 

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  In this research the production of tomato juice concentrate in the fruit nectar production plant and using existing equipments have been studied. Tomato juice was produced and then concentrated under high vacuum condition at temperature lower than 50 ^oc up to 20.25 Brix in the laboratory scale. In order to study the quality specifications of the tomato concentrate and juice, the concentrated juice was recombined and physical and organoleptical tests including color, appearance, consistency and flavor were performed. The samples kept for one and three months at temperatures 4,25and 35˚C were studied. Results showed that fruit nectar production line has significant effects on color and vitamin C content of tomato juice. However with additional equipments it is possible to produce a high quality tomato juice concentrate. Moreover it was found that the concentration of tomato juice, had no significant effect on the quality of recombined product and 97 % of vitamin C content was remained unchanged.

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Non-destructive methods yield a great deal of importance in agriculture since the tested product can return to the market process, together with simplicity compared to destructive ones. Therefore, the major challenge in industrial on/in line quality evaluation is to eliminate damages in fruits and vegetables. Every visible or invisible damage can be followed by problems in storage, processing and diseases. During recent years, machine vision, optical techniques such as Raman, NIR, NMR spectroscopies, acoustics and ultrasonic techniques are the main methods which have gained worldwide attention. In order to sort and grade fruits, several methods are implemented which are mostly slow, time consuming, and destructive. Yet, a rapid, non-destructive and precise measurement of qualitative factors including pH, SSC and color in tomato fruit yields a great deal of importance. For such a purpose, Raman spectroscopy is implemented to measure qualitative parameters in tomato non-destructively. Sugar components in tomato were investigated with HPLC test and spectroscopy was conducted on pure sugars. Results showed that Raman spectra highlight the major bands related to the fruit components. Lycopene and Carotene as the major cartenoeids in tomato fruit were detected explicitly through the spectra, in the way that all the three characteristic regions indexing such pigments (C-C and C=C stretching vibrations) are peaked as strong bands. Also carbohydrates could be shown by a medium band assigned to C-H vibration together with strong bands in 2300 cm-1 – 3000 cm-1 range. Thus it can be concluded that the technique is capable enough to be used in recognizing non-destructively both the external factors (e.g. color) and internal parameters (e.g. SSC) in tomato fruit.