Bagri Bouraïma, M., Sikirou, R., Zohoungbogbo, H. P., Sakiti, C., Awe, E. V., Ahohuendo, B. C., & Achigan-Dako, E. G. (2025). Participatory evaluation of tolerant tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) genotypes in naturally contaminated fields by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex in Benin. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 1-19. https://rdcu.be/euJri
Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC), severely limits tomato production in southern Benin. Through participatory evaluation, this study assessed BW tolerance, agronomic performance, and farmer preferences for tomato genotypes. Ten BW-tolerant genotypes and one susceptible local control variety were evaluated in a randomised complete block design with five replicates across naturally infested fields in three districts during the rainy and the dry season. Disease incidence (BWI), area under the disease incidence progress curve (AUDIPC), and yield were analysed using linear mixed models. RSSC strains were identified as Phylotype I sequevar 17 in all locations, with Phylotype III sequevar 23 also present in the Lalo district. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for disease incidence and yield. A reduction of BWI by 73%, 67%, 64%, and 63% was observed on varieties and lines PADMA F1, AVTO1955-6, AVTO1955-15, and Hawaï7996, respectively, compared to the local control variety. Season accounted for 48% of the total variance of BWI. PADMA F1 (8,246 kg/ha), Cobra 26 (5,053 kg/ha), and Hawaï7996 (3,749 kg/ha) outperformed the susceptible local control variety (3,376 kg/ha). Participatory evaluation revealed that PADMA F1, AVTO1955-15, AVTO199-6, Cobra 26, and AVTO1955-9 were 52 to 2,722 times more preferred than the susceptible local control variety. Yield was the most important criterion influencing farmers’ choices, followed by plant vigour, fruit size and tolerance to many diseases, while tolerance to BW criteria was insignificant. These findings demonstrate the importance of yield criteria in developing tolerant/resistant varieties for BW management in the field.
