Post harvest eco-friendly management of fruit rot of tomato caused by Alternaria solani

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), from the Solanaceae family and native to South America, faces productivity challenges in India due to various biotic and abiotic stresses, including infections from fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, is a major issue leading to significant pre- and post-harvest losses, impacting storage, transportation, and marketing. Due to this effective management of this disease is essential. A comprehensive investigation was conducted focusing on evaluating the in vitro efficacy of various GRAS chemicals, botanicals, and essential oils. Among the tested treatments, Calcium chloride (1%) proved to be the most effective chemical, followed by Salicylic acid (1%). For botanicals, Garlic (10%) and Ginger (20%) were notably effective. Essential oils like Nilgiri oil and Mint oil (500 ppm) were less effective but still better than no treatment. The combination of Calcium chloride and Mint oil resulted in the least spoilage and lowest physiological loss in weight (PLW) percentages, demonstrating their potential in post-harvest management strategies for controlling tomato fruit rot.