Management of Soil-Borne Fungal Diseases in Tomato Production: A Practical Assessment of Control Strategies in Oyo State

Soil-borne fungal diseases, particularly Fusarium wilt and Sclerotium rolfsii, are among the most devastating biotic constraints to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production in South West Nigeria, causing yield losses of up to 70 percent under severe infestation. This study assesses the practical efficacy of three disease management strategies, including chemical fungicides, biocontrol agents using Trichoderma spp., and soil solarization, on the incidence and severity of soil-borne fungal diseases in tomato fields in Ibadan, Oyo State. Twenty commercial tomato farms were selected using purposive sampling, and management trial plots were established within each farm over a single growing season. Disease incidence, plant mortality, and marketable fruit yield were recorded at biweekly intervals. Results indicate that integrated management combining soil solarization with Trichoderma-based biocontrol significantly reduced disease incidence compared to chemical fungicides applied alone. Farms implementing fungicide-only strategies showed greater disease resurgence after treatment cessation. The study concludes that integrated management provides more durable and cost-effective control of soil-borne fungal diseases in the Oyo State tomato production landscape. Recommendations include establishing demonstration farms to train extension agents and farmers in Trichoderma application protocols. These findings are relevant for professional horticulturists managing commercial tomato enterprises in South West Nigeria. Keywords: soil-borne diseases, tomato, Fusarium wilt, biocontrol, Oyo State