Evaluation of Resistance Sources of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to Phylotype I Strains of Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex in Benin

Finding sources of resistance to bacterial wilt (BW) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is a crucial step toward the development of improved bacterial wilt-resistant tomato varieties. Here, we evaluated new sources of bacterial wilt-tolerant/resistant tomato lines and identified associated phylotype/sequevar of R. solanacearum strains in Benin. Eighteen F5 lines and five checks were evaluated in two hotspots: the experimental site of the World Vegetable Center, Cotonou Benin, and the Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science of the University of Abomey-Calavi. Experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Data were collected on bacterial wilt incidence, horticultural and fruit traits and yield components. Across the two experiments, the F5 lines showed no wilting, while the local variety 'Tounvi' used as susceptible check showed 57.64% wilting. The wilting was due to BW and was associated with sequevars I-14, I-18 and I-31 of phylotype I. AVTO1803, AVTO1955-6 and H7996 were the highest yielding lines with 20.29 t.ha(-1), 17.66 t.ha(-1) and 17.07 t/ha, respectively. The sources of resistance to BW can be recommended to national agricultural system for dissemination or used in tomato breeding programs.

Automated summary

This study evaluated tomato lines in Benin for resistance to bacterial wilt, identified associations between Ralstonia solanacearum strains and wilt, and recommended three high-yielding sources of resistance for tomato breeding programs.