Alternaria mycotoxins in black rot lesion of tomato fruit: Conditions and regulation of their production

Alternaria represents the most common decay organism of the post-harvest tomato fruit. The prevalent type of decay, black rot lesion, is caused byA. alternata which may invade tomato tissue damaged by sun scald.Aspergillus niger, A. flavus andRhizopus stolonifer come in the second count level and occupy high to moderate occurrence. The mainly natural mycotoxins produced in rotted tomato are alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TA). Altertoxin I & II (AT-I & AT-II), in addition to AOH, AME and TA were produced by localA. alternata in a synthetic medium. The optimum temperature for toxin production byA. alternata IMI 89344 was 28 °C for AOH and AME, 21 °C for TA, and 14 °C for AT-I and AT-II. The growth and toxin were produced in a noticeable amount at 7 °C but drop at 35 °C. Significant inhibition in these toxins was attained at 500 ppm cinnamon oil in YES-Czapeks medium and in a tomato homogenate.     

Changes in Phenolic Acid Content During Alternaria alternata Infection in Tomato Fruit

Phenolic acids are components of the plant defence system; however few studies had been done with fruits. The objective of this experiment was to elucidate the changes in phenolic acid content in tomato fruits in response to pathogenic attack. Tomato fruit ‘Pinto’ was inoculated with spores of Alternaria alternata and stored for 10 days at 25°C and 90–92% of relative humidity. Sampling of epicarp and mesocarp tissues of control and infected tomato fruits were done every 2 days. Phenolic acids were extracted from each tissue and identified by HPLC coupled to a mass spectrometer. Quantification was done based in standard curves. In vitro evaluation of the phenolic acid effect either one‐by‐one and in a mixture of phenolic acids (MPA) over A. alternata spore germination was done with 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 mm . It was found caffeic, chlorogenic and vanillic acids in both epicarp and mesocarp tomato tissues before the beginning of the experiment. Infected tomato fruits showed significantly higher concentrations of vanillic acid in the epicarp, only. Chlorogenic acid and the MPA inhibit spore germination by 30%, whereas caffeic acid and vanillic acid inhibit 16% at 500 mm . It was concluded that chlorogenic, vanillic and caffeic acids are phytoanticipins in tomato fruit. The concentration of vanillic acid also increases in tomato fruit epicarp as part of the defence system during a pathogenic attack.     

Postharvest disease management of Alternaria spots on tomato fruit by Annona muricata fruit extracts

The aim of this study was to assess Annona muricata L. fruit extracts as an alternative to synthetic fungicide against Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler, the causative agent of black spots of tomato fruit. Antifungal activities of A. muricata pulp and seed extracts were tested both in vitro and in vivo. The seed extracts were more potent at inhibiting A. alternata than the pulp extracts. The in vitro assay showed maximum inhibition of radial mycelial growth of A. alternata (90%) by methanol seed extracts, at the highest concentration of 6%. Similarly, the in vivo assay showed marked reduction in lesion diameter (2.1 mm) and consequent disease inhibition (84%) on the tomato fruit treated with methanol seed extracts. Scanning electron microscopy showed that A. muricata extracts significantly damaged the morphology of hyphae and conidial structures. The FT-IR spectrum obtained from methanol extracts showed bands representing important bioactive compounds that possess antifungal activity. Based on our findings, Annona muricata fruit extracts can be further explored as a potential, excellent alternative approach to control the postharvest Alternaria spots of tomato fruit.     

Role of Pear Fruit Cuticular Wax and Surface Hydrophobicity in Regulating the Prepenetration Phase of Alternaria alternata Infection

The role of cuticular wax and the surface hydrophobicity of the fruit of the ‘Zaosu’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd) in regulating the prepenetration phase of Alternaria alternata infection were analysed in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that cuticular wax on an intact fruit surface, as well as wax extracts mounted on silanized glass slides or onion epidermis, favoured the formation of short, differentiated germ tubes and large numbers of appressoria (APP) or infected hyphae (IH). Dewaxed fruits or no wax extract mounted on in vitro surfaces, however, enhanced germ tube elongation and inhibited or delayed the formation of infection structure. High surface hydrophobicity resulting from cuticular wax also stimulated infection structure formation, as contact angle (hydrophobicity) was positively correlated with APP formation but negatively correlated with germ tube elongation. Alternaria alternata cutinase enzyme activity was also induced by cuticular wax, both in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that the chemical composition and hydrophobicity of pear fruit cuticular wax are essential in facilitating fungal invasion by regulating the growth and differentiation of A. alternata during the prepenetration phase.     

Control by imazalil of fruit storage rots caused by Alternaria alternata

The fungicide imazalil has potential value for controlling post-harvest diseases caused by Alternaria alternata in pears, apples and persimmons. Imazalil was active in vitro on germination and hyphal growth (ED₅₀) at 1.4 and 0.5 μg/ml, respectively. Protectant action of the fungicide lasted only 1 day after treatment. At 1000 μg/ml the fungicide inhibited development of Alternaria rot in inoculated apples at 0 °C and in naturally infected pears and persimmons at–1 °C.     

Effect of environmental factors on tenuazonic acid production by Alternaria alternata on soybean-based media

Aims: To determine the effects of water activity (a_W; 0·995–0·90), temperature (5, 18, 25 and 30°C), time of incubation (7–35 days) and their interactions on tenuazonic acid (TA) production on 2% soybean‐based agar by two Alternaria alternata strains isolated from soybean in Argentina. Methods and Results: TA production by two isolates of A. alternata was examined under interacting conditions of a_W, temperature and time of incubation on 2% soybean‐based agar. Maximum TA production was obtained for both strains at 0·98 a_W, but at 30 and 25°C for the strains for RC 21and RC 39, respectively. The toxin concentration varied considerably depending on a_W, temperature, incubation time and strain interactions. TA was produced over the temperature range from 5 to 30°C and a_W range from 0·92 to 0·995, however at 5 and 18°C little TA was produced at a_W below 0·94. Contour maps were developed from these data to identify areas where conditions indicate a significant risk for TA accumulation. Conclusions: The optimum and marginal conditions for TA production by A. alternata on soybean‐based agar were identified. The results indicated that TA production by A. alternata is favoured by different temperatures in different strains. Significance and Impact of the Study: Data obtained provide very useful information for predicting the possible risk factors for TA contamination of soybean as the a_W and temperature range used in this study simulate those occurring during grain ripening. The knowledge of TA production under marginal or sub‐optimal temperature and a_W conditions for growth are relevant as improper storage conditions accompanied by elevated temperature and moisture content in the grain can favour further mycotoxin production and lead to reduction in grain quality.     

Occurrence and Latent Infection of Alternaria Rot of Pingguoli Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. Pingguoli) Fruits in Gansu, China

Alternaria rot of Pingguoli pear occurred after latent infection. Fruit surfaces were asymptomatic within 60 days storage under cold condition (0°C, RH 85–90%), but black‐grey hyphae could be seen in the lenticels or calyx tube of Pingguoli pear after 90 days of storage. The tissue collapsed and resulted in visible black spots as the hyphae spread over the fruit. Average incidence of Alternaria rot of fruits from an orchard in Gansu was 28.86% at 100 days of storage. The main fungus isolated from the Alternaria rot on stored Pingguoli pear was identified as Alternaria alternata (Fr. : Fr.) Keissl. This pathogen was able to initially infect the fruit via two pathways during the growing season, and then remain in a latent state. The fungus first colonized the styles at the full‐blossoming stage, and then grew into the carpel cavities progressively after 50 days from petal fall. The percentage latent infection of A. alternata was up to 45% in the carpel cavity until the harvest time. The fungus also attacked fruit surfaces and remained latent in the fruit peel during fruit development. The percentage of A. alternata latent infection at the calyx end, middle part and stem end of the fruit peel was 40%, 24% and 42.8%, respectively, at harvest time.     

Genetic and physiological response to fumonisin and AAL-toxin by intact tissue of a higher plant

The differential phytotoxicity of purified AAL-toxin to lines of tomato isogenic for the Asc gene parallels resistance to Alternaria alternata f.sp. lycopersici. This relationship, as reported earlier, is consistent with the role of AAL-toxin as a host-specific toxin with the role of a primary chemical determinant of Alternaria stem canker. Current results indicate the pathogen and the AAL-toxin also can be recovered from ripe fruit with symptoms of the disease known as black mold. Fumonisins are structurally similar to the AAL-toxins but are secreted by Fusarium moniliforme which is taxonomically distinct from A. alternata. F. moniliforme, is not pathogenic on living tomato tissues but was recovered from ripe tomato fruit with symptoms of black mold. The penetration of ripe fruit and subsequent colonization by both fungi appears to be saprophytic. Fumonisins and AAL-toxins express equivalent genotype-specific activity against the isogenic Asc lines of tomato and produce equivalent necrotic symptoms in tomato leaflet bioassays. Evidence was obtained that the biosynthetic pathway for production of these toxins is present in several species of both Alternaria and Fusarium. Toxin biosynthesis was sensitive to nutritional regulation in both genera. However, pathogenicity on tomato was not altered by the medium used for inoculum production in either genera and remained restricted to A. alternata f.sp. lycopersici in the studies reported here. Differences in the amount of toxin produced were found among isolates of both genera while the magnitude of the differences was defined by the substrate on which the fungi were grown.     

Evaluation of Alternaria alternata ITCC4896 for use as mycoherbicide to control Parthenium hysterophorus

Mycoherbicides are specialty biotechnology products which employ the use of fungi or fungal metabolites as non-chemical alternatives, thereby reducing the input of harmful chemicals to control noxious weeds. The present communication emphasises the potential of an indigenous isolate of Alternaria alternata ITCC 4896 as a mycoherbicide for the global weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Of the various spore concentrations tested by in vitro detached leaf bioassay, 1 × 10⁶ spores/ml was the most effective, inducing 89.2% leaf area damage on the seventh day and was further tested by the whole plant bioassay. Both in vitro detached leaf assay and whole plant bioassay exhibited a similar trend in disease development, exhibiting 50% damage at 96 hours post-treatment. However, 100% mortality was observed in the whole plant bioassay on the seventh day. This is the very first report on the bioweedicidal potential of Alternaria alternata ITCC 4896 (LC#508) for use as a mycoherbicide for Parthenium hysterophorus.     

Identification and characterization of a novel locus controlling early fruit development in tomato

Cultivated tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculen- tum) encompass a wide range of fruit size and shape variants. This variation provides the basis for dissecting the genetic and molecular pathways of ovary and fruit development. One fruit shape variant is displayed by the cultivar Sun 1642 (TA491). TA491 has an elongated fruit phenotype, while the wild relative L. pimpinellifolium LA1589 produces fruit that are nearly perfect spheres, a shape typical of wild tomatoes. Developmental studies indicated that the differences in fruit shape between TA491 and LA1589 are determined by events occurring immediately after pollination and extending to 14 days post-pollination. Quantitative trait mapping revealed a single major locus on chromosome 7 (named sun) to be responsible for the differential development of TA491 and LA1589 fruit. Other fruit shape loci characterized in tomato (e.g. fs8.1 and ovate) exert their effects before anthesis and early in ovary development. sun is the first major locus identified in tomato controlling fruit shape through post-pollination events. Received: 17 November 2000 / Accepted: 24 November 2000     

Alternaria on cruciferous plants. 4.Alternaria species on seed of some cruciferous crops and their pathogenicity

The incidence ofAlternaria spp. on seed samples of cruciferous vegetable crops was surveyed between 1990 and 1992. Some commercial seed lots of crucifers which are commonly grown in Japan were infested withAlternaria species. ThreeAlternaria species were encountered on the seed samples ofBrassica campestris, B. orelacea, andRaphanus sativus. The most frequently detected species wereA. japonica andA. alternata onB. campestris, A. brassicicola onB. oleracea, andA. japonica andA. alternata onR. sativus, respectively.Alternaria brassicae was not detected in this study.Alternaria brassicicola isolates from these crops produced necrotic lesions on all of the crucifer seedlings inoculated, whileA. japonica induced different reactions in different plants or plant parts depending on isolates used in inoculation tests. In contrast, most isolates ofA. alternata could not produce necrotic lesions on foliage leaves of crucifers inoculated, although some of them produced clear lesions only on cotyledons.Alternaria alternata associated with these cruciferous crop seeds was considered to be an oppotunistic parasite of these crops.     

In vitro efficacy of some fungicides on mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata and Mucor pyriformis

Various chemical fungicides, systemic and non-systemic, were tested against fruit rot pathogens viz. Alternaria alternata and Mucor pyriformis for the evaluation of inhibition of mycelial growth. In A. alternata, among the systemic fungicides used, hexaconozole showed highest inhibition of mycelial growth followed by carbendazim and least effective was myclobutanil. While in M. pyriformis, hexaconozole showed highest inhibition and least effective was bitertanol. Among the non-systemic fungicides tested in both A. alternata and M. pyriformis, mancozeb showed highest inhibition of mycelial growth followed by capton and the least inhibition was shown by zineb.     

Effect on lycopene, β-carotene,ascorbic acid and phenolic content in tomato fruits infected by Alternaria alternata and its toxins (TeA,AOH and AME)

Tomato is considered as one of the most important sources of nutrients such as lycopene, β-carotene, flavonoids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and hydroxyl-cinnamic acid derivatives. The quality and quantity of nutrients in tomato fruits were decreased during the severe infection of Alternaria alternata. The present study deals with the estimation of lycopene, β-carotene, phenolic and ascorbic acid content in tomato fruits which were infected with A. alternata and its toxins such as tenuazonic acid (TeA), alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME). The lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid and phenolic content were found lowest in pathogen-infected fruits i.e. (0.66 ± 0.03 mg/g), (0.14 ± 0.01 mg/g), (1.89 ± 0.2 mg/g) and (0.58 ± 0.05 mg/g), respectively, followed by toxins-treated samples as compared to the control. The results concluded that A. alternata mostly affects the nutritional values of tomato fruits due to the combined effect of the toxins.     

梨果黑斑病菌互隔交链孢(Alternaria alternata) hnr基因的克隆及其对侵染结构分化的调控

【背景】羟基萘还原酶(hydroxynaphthalene reductase,HNR)是1,8-间苯二酚(1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene,DHN)黑色素合成途径中起关键作用的酶,研究表明HNR不仅参与真菌黑色素合成,而且对其生长发育及致病性也具有一定的调控作用,但HNR对真菌病原物侵染结构分化的调控研究鲜见报道。【目的】在对梨果黑斑病菌互隔交链孢(Alternaria alternata) HNR的基因进行克隆与生物信息学分析的基础上,通过药理学方法初步探讨HNR对A.alternata生长及侵染结构分化的调控作用,为进一步揭示HNR在A.alternata侵染结构分化形成过程中的分子机制提供理论依据。【方法】对梨果黑斑病菌A.alternata的2个hnr基因进行了克隆;通过gene structure display server、open reading frame (ORF) Finder及conserved domain search等数据库及相关软件,对hnr基因及蛋白进行生物信息学分析,并利用HNR特异性抑制剂三环唑处理分析其对A.alternata生长发育、黑色素合成和侵染结构形成的影响,同时采用实时荧光定量PCR (RT-qPCR)技术分析了hnr基因在A.alternata不同侵染结构分化时期的表达特性。【结果】从梨果黑斑病菌A.alternata克隆得到2个羟基萘还原酶基因hnr的编码区全长,分别命名为Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr,其中Aa4hnr基因全长为1 266 bp,编码了268个氨基酸,无内含子,有9个ORF;Aa3hnr基因全长为1 356 bp,编码了267个氨基酸,含有2个大小分别为51 bp和49 bp的内含子,有17个ORF;进化分析表明,Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr与Ophiobolus disseminans和Alternaria arborescens分别具有较高的一致性,同时Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr编码的蛋白均含有NAD (P)结合域,属于短链脱氢酶/还原酶(short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase,SDR)家族。药理学结果表明,三环唑处理显著降低了A.alternata DHN黑色素的生物合成,抑制了疏水性诱导的A.alternata侵染结构的形成;进一步分析Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr在疏水表面诱导的A.alternata孢子萌发阶段(2 h)、附着胞形成阶段(6 h)、侵染菌丝形成阶段(8 h)的基因表达量,Aa4hnr的基因表达量在A.alternata侵染结构分化的各个时期均发生下调,Aa3hnr在附着胞形成阶段(6 h)表达量下调,然而在侵染菌丝形成阶段(8 h)显著上调表达。【结论】Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr对梨果黑斑病菌侵染具有一定的调控作用。     

Studies on fungi associated with tomato fruits and effectiveness of some commercial fungicides against three pathogens

Among 39 fungal species and one variety belonging to 16 genera isolated from 116 healthy tomato fruits collected from markets in Assiut, Egypt, during 1994,Aspergillus niger was found to be the most prevalent, being isolated from 84.6% of the samples. Of 11 species recovered from 156 diseased tomatoes,Alternaria alternata, Rhizopus stolonifer andA. niger were the most common and isolated from 52.7%, 35.9% and 25.0% of the samples, respectively. Experiments for comparison of the effects of medium containing tomato juice with synthetic medium on the mycelial growth of nine fungal species indicated that, the tomato juice medium was more suitable for growth of all fungal species. The effect of five commercial fungicides and sodium hypochlorite when applied as post-harvest dips after inoculation was studied in laboratory againstA. alternata, A. niger andR. stolonifer. At 10 and 100 µg ml^–1, neither of the fungicide caused a noticeable inhibition ofAlternaria rot. At 1000 µg ml^–1 benlate, rovral and sumisclex completely preventedAlternaria andAspergillus rot, whereas cuprosan and ridomil were ineffective against rotting caused byA. niger. Rhizopus rot development was inhibited by over 50% with one treatment only (rovral at 1000 µg ml^–1). Sodium hypochlorite has good curative properties against fruit rots especially those caused byA. alternata andA. niger.     

梨果黑斑病菌AaCaMK基因克隆、生物信息学分析及其在侵染结构分化中的表达分析

[背景] 钙/钙调素依赖型蛋白激酶（Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase,CaMK）是真核生物细胞钙信号途径中钙调素下游的一类重要靶蛋白,对病原物生长、胁迫响应及致病性等具有重要的调控作用。[目的] 对梨果黑斑病菌互隔交链孢（Alternaria alternata）AaCaMK基因进行克隆、生物信息学分析,并对其在侵染结构分化过程中的基因表达情况进行分析,为进一步研究梨果黑斑病菌钙离子信号途径中AaCaMK对A.alternata侵染结构分化调控的分子机制提供一定的理论依据。[方法] 采用同源克隆法从A. alternata JT-03中克隆得到3个AaCaMK基因;通过TMHMM、ProtScale、SOPMA等软件对AaCaMK基因进行生物信息学分析;利用实时荧光定量PCR （RT-qPCR）技术分析AaCaMK在梨果黑斑病菌侵染结构分化过程中的表达情况。[结果] 克隆得到片段分别为1 212、1 200、2 349 bp的AaCaMK1、AaCaMK2和AaCaMK3基因;生物信息学分析表明,AaCaMK1、AaCaMK2和AaCaMK3均含有典型的蛋白激酶超家族催化结构域（PKC_Like Superfamily）,并且AaCaMK1和AaCaMK2共同含有CaMK类丝/苏氨酸蛋白激酶催化结构域（STKc_CaMK）,AaCaMK3含有LKB1/CaMKK类丝/苏氨酸蛋白激酶催化结构域（STKc_LKB1_CaMKK）;同源性分析表明,AaCaMK1、AaCaMK2和AaCaMK3分别与玉米大斑病菌CAK1、CAK2和CAK3的相似性高达94.32%、97.49%和86.57%;RT-qPCR分析表明,AaCaMK1、AaCaMK2和AaCaMK3在疏水及果蜡诱导A. alternata侵染结构分化过程中均显著上调表达（P<0.05）,而且果蜡诱导作用更显著。其中AaCaMK1和AaCaMK2在附着胞形成时期（6 h）表达量为对照的1.51倍和3.05倍,而AaCaMK3在侵染菌丝形成阶段（8 h）表达量最高,为对照的2.86倍,并且在果蜡诱导下,这3个基因在芽管伸长阶段（4 h）的上调表达量显著高于疏水界面。[结论] 钙信号中AaCaMK基因在疏水及果蜡诱导A.alternata侵染结构分化过程中发挥重要的调控作用。     

Responses of grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersiocon L.) to abiotic stresses in Saudi Arabia

Quantity and quality of irrigation water are considered the most imperative limiting factors for plant production in arid environment. Adoptions of strategies can minimize crop water consumption while nonexistent yield reduction is considered challenge for scholars especially in arid environment. Grafting is regarded as a promising tool to avoid or reduce yield loss caused by abiotic stresses. Tomato (Solanum lycopersium Mill.), commercial cultivar Faridah was grafted on Unifort rootstock and grown under regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) (100%, 80% and 60% ETc), using two types of irrigation water, fresh (EC = 0.86 dS/m) and brackish (EC = 3.52 dS/m). The effects of grafting and RDI on water use efficiency, vegetative growth, yield, fruit quality were investigated. Plant vegetative growth was reduced under water and salinity stresses. Grafting the plant significantly improves the vegetative growth under both conditions. The results showed that crop yield, Ca⁺² and K⁺ were considerably increased in grafted tomato compared to non-grafted plants under water and salinity stresses. Grafted tomato plants accumulated less Na⁺ and Cl⁻, especially under high levels of salinity compared to non-grafted plants. Grafting tomato plants showed a slight decrease on the fruit quality traits such as vitamin C, titratable acidity (TA) and total soluble solids (TSS). This study confirmed that grafted tomato plants can mitigate undesirable impact of salt stress on growth and fruit quality.     

Fungitoxic activity of fruit extracts of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels against plant pathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum

This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of fruits of Syzygium cumini, against the mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum. The results showed that ethanolic extract at the concentrations of 7.5 and 9?mg/ml completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. alternata and F. oxysporum, respectively. While the aqueous extract at a highest tested concentration (37.5?mg/ml) exhibited only 27.86 and 37.23% inhibition of mycelial growth of A. alternata and F. oxysporum, respectively. The spore germination assay also showed the complete inhibition of spore germination of A. alternata and F. oxysporum by ethanolic extract at 50 and 60?mg/ml concentrations, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded as 0.039 and 0.156?mg/ml in ethanolic extract and 20 and 6.25?mg/ml in aqueous extract against A. alternata and F. oxysporum, respectively. Phytochemical analysis also showed the presence of high amount of phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins.     

Alternaria alternata f.sp. cucurbitae, the cause of a new leaf spot disease of melon (Cucumis melo)

A leaf spot disease of melon caused by Alternaria alternata f.sp. cucurbitae was recorded for the first time in Crete. Necrotic flecks surrounded by chlorotic halos developed on the cotyledons and the leaves of the middle and the upper part of the plants; the flecks enlarged and coalesced to form lesions of 2 cm or more in diameter with brown fructifications of the pathogen on their surface. Severely affected cotyledons and leaves became chlorotic and died. Of 16 species from eight botanical families that were inoculated, only those of the Cucurbitaceae were susceptible. Of four isolates of A. alternata from tomato, sunflower, pear and cucumber, only the cucumber isolate was pathogenic to melon foliage.     

Integrating cultural control methods for tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in Uganda

Cultural control measures against tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) were evaluated in six field experiments over 3 years in Uganda. Each experiment included sanitation (removal of diseased plant tissues), fungicide (mancozeb) application, and an untreated control, as standard treatments. Late blight incidence and severity were greatly reduced by sanitation, without reducing the number of healthy leaves; however, tomato growth and production were adversely affected. Fungicide treated plants retained the highest numbers of flowers and attached fruits and gave the highest yields. Three cultural practices were evaluated in repeated experiments for their effectiveness in alleviating the adverse effects of sanitation. Tomatoes grown within plastic shelters early in the production cycle were taller, and had more healthy leaves than those grown late. The numbers of diseased leaves and disease severity were equally low in sanitation alone and plastic shelter/with sanitation treatments. Flower and fruit production were significantly higher when tomatoes were grown under early shelters with sanitation than with sanitation alone. Planting density was increased without significant effects on late blight and tomato growth and production. Intercropping tomato with soybean (Glycine max) or sesame (Sesamum indicum), with sanitation, limited late blight development, but taller intercrops suppressed tomato growth and production. Integrated treatments (combining plastic shelters, a sesame intercrop and high tomato planting density) were evaluated, with and without sanitation, against the fungicide mancozeb. The mean numbers of healthy leaves in the integrated treatments were not significantly less than with fungicide treatment. Late blight incidence and severity were higher in the integrated plots without than with sanitation. The numbers of flowers and attached fruits were not significantly less in integrated treatments than in fungicide treated plots, but tomato yield was highest with fungicide treatment.