Tomatoes are one of Florida's most important vegetable crops. These seedling-transplants are grown in sterile plug mixes and later outplanted either into fumigated soil where survival is assured by the elimination of most pests and diseases, or they are introduced into competitive soils where the sterile roots are easily infected by plant pathogenic bacteria or fungi.
Many fumigant uses are in jeopardy due to deleterious effects on agricultural land, water and air.
The first of these fumigants to be removed will be methyl bromide which must be phased out by the year 2000. Consequently, all tomato transplants soon will be grown in more competitive microbial environments. Unfortunately, these transplants are poorly adapted for competing in this hostile environment. However, long term plant survival and root health can be greatly improved by amending plug mix soil or by root inoculating with beneficial organisms. These organisms can provide a multi tactic barrier to plant pathogens by providing an antagonistic soil and a biocontrol shield at the root surface to reduce root disease.