Determination of phytopathological and entomological problems and using plant protection methods in organic tomato growing in turkey

As a result of surveys made in two provinces (Izmir and Manisa) of Turkey in 2001, phytopathological and entomological problems and using plant protection methods in organic tomato growing were determined. Early blight of tomatoes (Alternaria solani Ell. and Mart.), late-blight disease (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de By.), tomato fruit mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers.), sunscald, blossom end rot, catfacing, root rot diseases (Fusarium spp., Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia spp.) and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn., Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), mites (Tetranychus spp.) (Acarina: Tetranychidae), aphids (Myzus persicae Sulz., Aphis gossypii Glov., Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas.)) (Homoptera: Aphididae), southern Green Stink Bug (Nezara viridula L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), tomato fruitworm (Heliothis armigera) (Hubn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), cutworm (Agrotis spp.) (Lepidoptera: Agrotidae), mole cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (L.)) (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) were all found to be important pests and diseases. Pest and disease management in organic tomato growing can be classified as cultural control (selecting pest and diseases resistant tomato varieties, and crop rotation), biological control agents (Bacillus thuringiensis var. berliner or kurstaki), botanical extracts (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, Allium sativum L., Nicotiana tabacum and Urtica diocia/urens L.) and chemical control (insecticidal soap, sulfur, sodium bicarbonate and copper spray).