Manipulating the soil ecosystem for improved management of soil-borne pathogens in small holder ‘greenhouse’ tomato production in Kenya

The livelihoods of about 40-60% small and medium scale farmers in Kenya is dependent on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production, farmed mainly under open field conditions and/or until recently under modified high tunnels popularly known as ‘greenhouses’. High tunnel production creates an ideal farming environment for pests to thrive. Bacteria wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and root-knot nematodes (RKNs) of the Meloidogyne spp are among the most serious pests that have threatened the utilization of the high tunnel tomato production in Kenya. The goal of this study is to utilize an interdisciplinary research approach to develop improved and inexpensive strategies by manipulating the plant’s chemical defenses using fertiliser to suppress root-knot nematodes and bacterial wilt in tomato. The project is designed to support two graduate students (M.Sc.) who work with a supervisory team to design experiments within two broad objectives: (i) Evaluating the impact of fertiliser types and application rates on the population dynamics of root-knot nematodes and bacterial wilt and on plant growth and yield; (ii) understanding the mechanisms underlying plantpathogen- fertiliser interaction. Farmer stakeholders, researchers from national and international agricultural centers and universities are involved in the research to help develop methodologies and validate research results for appropriate use. The study is being conducted in Kiambu County, Central Kenya where high tunnel technology is being utilized.