The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) recently organized an inception meeting for the project titled, Development of biofungicide for control of Alternaria solani and other fungal pathogens of tomato and eggplant.
Fungal pathogens affect eggplant and tomato, especially during wet seasons. Infection of foliar diseases such as early blight (Alternaria solani), fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum), and leaf molds (Passalora fulva) could result in serious crop loss.
Led by Dr. Jessica F. Simbahan of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), the two-year project will develop a biofungicide, which is a concoction of chitinase and other antifungal compounds that target Alternaria solani and other fungal pathogens of tomato and eggplant.