Investigation to effects of biological and chemical preparats against powdery mildew pathogen (Leveillula taurica) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Antalya is a main center of tomato production which has grown more than 60% of winter tomato production in Turkey. Particularly, there are fungal diseases limiting the tomato yields. One of the most important of fungal diseases is tomato powdery mildew disease is caused by fungal Leveilulla taurica. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of chemical and biological preparations used against L. taurica and to reveal biological importance of these preparations among the tested chemicals where a total of 4 trials were established in 2 different locations with 2 different planting periods at Antalya's Kumluca and Muğla's Seydikemer districts respectively. Before choosing these greenhouses, their previous powdery mildew disease situation was considered, and experimental areas were established regarding homogeneous soil and environmental factors within randomized blocks experimental design for statistical analyses. Commercial preparations to L. taurica have applied as; Lusen SC 500 20 ml 100 l-1, Activus SC 125 60 ml da-1, Signum WG 60g 100 l-1, Embrelia SC 140 80 ml 100 l-1, Serenade SC 1400 ml da-1, Regalia 125 ml 100 l-1, Prev-Am 200 ml 100 l-1 and Timorex Gold 200 ml 100 l-1. The applications of these preparations have commenced with observations when first signs of the disease occurred. Disease severity has evaluated on a 0–5 scale when there was at least 20% disease in the control plots. The effectiveness of these fungicide preparation found as 85.8% Lusen SC 500, 79.2% Timorex Gold, 77.8% Activus SC 125, 74.5% Embrelia SC 140, 70.6% Signum WG, 43.4% Serenade, 37.5% Regalia, 35.3% Prev-Am, respectively. From the study, it is understood that Timorex Gold (~79%), Seranade (~43%), Regalia (~38%) and Prev-Am (~35%) commercial preparations have high efficacy and is able to use safely to control powdery mildews regarding as important biological control preparations. These biological preparations have great potential in alternative control managements.