The investigation of copper susceptibility of bacterial speck disease seen in tomatoes in Adana

Bacterial speck disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) is one of the most important seed-borne bacterial diseases of tomato. Producers declare that copper preparations are insufficient in the fight against this disease. In the study, the antibacterial effects of four different copper containing preparats and a plant growth regulator were investigated In vitro and In vivo in experiments with pathogen bacteria isolates obtained from Karataş district of Adana province. Copper sulphate, Copper oxychloride, Copper hydroxide and Copper + Mancozeb showed antibacterial effect against to Pst in In vitro. The antibacterial effect of Harpin protein was evaluated as less compared to copper containing preparats in In vitro. Copper sulfate, Copper oxychloride, Copper hydroxide, Copper + Mancozeb and Harpin proteins were sprayed on the green parts of the plant and the disease caused by Pst was inhibited by 53.3-86.9% in In vivo. Copper Sulphate and Copper oxychloride have been deternminated as the most successful applications. Copper applications had no negative effect on tomato plants. As a result, while it was determined that copper preparations could still be used in the struggle of this disease, it was concluded that the producers could not apply the drugs at the right time.