Investigation of Phylloplane microflora of tomato

Abstract

Phylloplane denotes to the leaf surface of the plants. Leaf surface environment is dynamic due to the physiochemical properties of leaf surface and activity of phylloplane microflora. The present study aims to understand and explore the potential microbial bio agents on the phylloplane of the tomato to devise efficient management of their diseases by using phylloplane microflora. The study showed that phylloplane microflora associated with diseased leaves of tomato are more in number compared to healthy leaves and are a natural source of eco-friendly bioagents which may control plant pathogens. This investigation confirms that leaf surface mycobiota such as Trichoderma species found to be effective antagonists against Alternaria solani and Fusarium sp. of tomato as it is having mycoparasitic ability.