Reducing Fusarium Wilt Pressure in Organic Tomato Production Systems using Allium Species

Commodities

Practices

The project titled "Reducing Fusarium Wilt Pressure in Organic Tomato Production Systems using Allium Species" will optimize the efficiency of cultural control of Fusarium wilt in organic tomato production systems by utilizing the antifungal potential of several Allium species adopted as a companion crop with tomatoes. Based on successful greenhouse preliminary trials this research will further investigate the mechanism of Fusarium control by Allium species (green onion, shallot, leek) in a tomato-allium intercropping system under field conditions. A wilt susceptible heirloom tomato cultivar inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici pathogenic strain will be grown in a certified organic field following a Randomized Complete Block design. The results of this project will validate the findings of the greenhouse study and will ensure allium intercropping as a biocontrol alternative for tomato Fusarium wilt. This will enable organic growers to overcome tomato yield and quality losses and reduce fungicide inputs while promoting environmental sustainability. Moreover, farmers' knowledge and cultivation of the less-commonly grown Allium species both for consumption and as a means of disease control will expand in NCR. The project expects to achieve the following (1) provide a cultural control method for tomato Fusarium wilt, (2) expand research focusing on sustainable disease control methods and (3) determine the microbial community to improve the environmental sustainability of the production systems in North Central regions.

From the results of this project organic vegetable growers and extension agents will gain science-based knowledge on using companion cropping to manage soilborne pathogens.
It is expected that at least one hundred organic vegetable growers and extension agents will gain knowledge through outreach and demonstration. Of these, at least twenty-five growers are anticipated to adopt intercropping practices using alliums for Fusarium wilt control, leading to reduced reliance on fungicides and decreased yield loss. Evaluation will be conducted through field day surveys and extension follow-ups.

The project will fill three research objectives focused on optimizing the mechanism of Fusarium wilt control in tomato-allium intercropping systems. The expected output includes peer-reviewed publication (s) and extension materials that will inform sustainable disease control strategies.
These findings will reach both academic and grower communities, with research published online and through the NDSU Extension platform, aiming for at least fifty reads/views.
Educational outreach will target organic and diversified vegetable growers, encouraging them to adopt low-input, biologically based disease management strategies. As a result, twenty-five growers are expected to report an intent to adopt Allium intercropping with tomatoes which will enhance soil health, reduce chemical inputs, and expand market potential for underutilized Allium crops. Outcome success will be monitored through surveys during field days and farmer feedback.