Survey of tomato diseases in Cameroon

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most widely cultivated field vegetable crop in Cameroon. On-farm surveys were undertaken from November l988 to October 1991 to identify nursery and field diseases in major tomato producing areas of Cameroon. Damping-off and seedling blights were the main seedling diseases. Of the eleven diseases observed in the field, the most widely distributed and severe on the foliage and fruits were early (Alternaria solani) and late (Phytophthora infestans) blights. Late blight was the most severe disease in the wet season while early blight was most severe in the dry season. Nine pathogens were associated with various fruit rots. This study indicates the need for an identification of appropriate control methods for early and late blights of tomato in Cameroon.