Natural minerals as a means of limiting Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria solani on tomato
Katya Vasileva
, Georgy Velichkov, Vinelina Yankova
Abstract: Effective disease management requires the implementation of alternative and environmentally friendly approaches, including the use of natural mineral materials with the potential for direct and indirect suppression of phytopathogens. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of natural mineral products (Glauconite, Dolomite), their combinations and Fertilex Silicon on the pathogens Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria solani on tomato, in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro results show that all mineral variants significantly suppress mycelial growth, with inhibition in Ph. infestans reaching 82 - 100%, and in A. solani – 40 - 100%. The highest activity was demonstrated by Fertilex Silicon, which completely blocked the growth of the pathogens. Dolomite and Glauconite exhibit moderate to high activity, and the combined variants have a stable, but not synergistic effect. In vivo experience confirmed the trends from laboratory tests. All treated variants significantly reduced the disease infestation index compared to the control, with Fertilex Silicon showing the strongest effect, followed by Dolomite 1.5% and Glauconite 1.5%. Mineral products, at higher concentrations and in combination, provide stable and moderate disease suppression. The results obtained show that these products have direct fungicidal activity and contribute to increasing the physiological resistance of plants, and can be a valuable component in integrated disease management strategies.
Keywords: biological testing; mineral products; pathogens
Citation: Vasileva, K., Velichkov, G. & Yankova, V. (2026). Natural minerals as a means of limiting Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria solani on tomato. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 32(3), 674–683
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| Date published: 2026-06-25
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