The potential of acibenzolar-S-methyl (aSm) as a plant resistance activator was evaluated against tomato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. Plants of the cvs. Santa Clara, Diana and AF-2573 received seven weekly applications of aSm (2.5 g i.a./100 L water), by foliar sprays or soil drenches. The first application was carried out 14 days after sowing. 32-day old plantlets were transplanted into infested soil with R. solanacearum where they received four weekly applications of the activator. Control plots received only water. Disease severity was evaluated daily through the number of wilted leaves and plants. With the obtained data we estimated the area under the disease progress curve. Wilt symptoms increased at a slower rate in the three cvs. when aSm was sprayed. This effect was significant up to four weeks after transplanting in infested soil with R. solanacearum.
Ralstonia solanacearum; Lycopersicon esculentum; systemic acquired resistance
