Disease-free, high-yield: HSTU research unlocks pathways for future of tomato cultivation

A study by the Faculty of Agriculture at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) has revealed new possibilities for tomato cultivation as the research demonstrates that disease-free tomato plants and increased yields can be achieved through the use of a new protection method, called "trichoderma biofungicide" developed by the university.

Professor Md Mohidul Hasan from the Plant Pathology Department of HSTU, with PhD student Md Shariful Islam, conducted this research, and their findings were recently published.

The study revealed that the use of the "trichoderma biofungicide" led to more than doubling the tomato yield on disease-free plants compared to traditional farming methods.

Talking to BSS, Mohidul Hasan said it was found in a study on tomatoes that among the 6 treatments in the field, the length, width and height of the branches, trunk and roots of the plant were more in the treatment applied with Trichoderma biofungicide.

The health of the tomato plants was also very good and the yield was almost double compared to the other 4 treatments, he added.

The researchers observed that each plant produced 90 tomatoes. For the study, they treated the seeds and soil in various ways for the different treatments, sowing the treated seeds in the corresponding treated soil. Fertilizers, insecticides, disease treatments, and Trichoderma were then applied according to the respective treatments.

To develop Trichoderma, the researchers collected various soil samples and isolated them in the laboratory, resulting in the identification of 18 different types of Trichoderma. They confirmed the identities of these 18 Trichoderma species through molecular testing. 

For the disease application method, the researchers gathered various types of soil-borne harmful diseases and isolated them in the lab. The diseases were identified using molecular tests. Further testing was conducted to determine if the Trichoderma developed in the lab could suppress these soil-borne diseases. Upon positive results, field research was initiated.

Research on the application of trichoderma biofungicide in tomatoes began in January 2022. Three seasons of trials have been conducted since the research began. The objective of the research was to produce high yields in disease-free tomato plants through natural cultivation so that farmers can produce more tomatoes in a natural and environmentally friendly way at low cost. Because cultivating tomatoes using trichoderma biofungicide keeps the plants disease-free and yields more.

Dr Mohidul Hasan said that this method of cultivation does not cause any harm to the weather, people and various animals and this method also costs much less than the traditional cultivation system, which will play a helpful role in advancing the country's agriculture sector.

Regarding the research topic, Md. Shariful Islam said, "Even by applying conventional pesticides and Trichoderma in the market, they cannot protect tomato plants from stroke disease and fog-related diseases (in the words of farmers). 

"Therefore, to save farmers from such problems, my supervisor Professor Dr. Md. Mohidul Hasan and I started the work of inventing trichoderma biofungicide. We hope that our invented Trichoderma will help farmers grow disease-free and high-yielding tomatoes and other crops," he added. 

In this context, Dr Mohidul Hasan said, by using the invented Trichoderma, farmers will be able to control crop diseases biologically. 

The nutritional value of the tomatoes produced from the tomato plants is also quite good. Especially, the amount of lycopene and ascorbic acid has increased. Along with this, the storage time at home has increased by about 4-5 days.

Dr Mohidul Hasan added, "We hope that in another one and a half to two months, we will be able to market our invented Trichoderma biofungicide by deciding on a beautiful name so that marginal farmers can use this to grow high yields on disease-free plants and contribute to the country's agriculture sector."