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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #339479
Research Project: New Tools for Managing Key Pests of Pecan and Peach

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Trans-cinnamic acid and Xenorhabdus szentirmaii metabolites synergize the potency of some commercial fungicides

Author
item HAZIR, SELCUK - Adnan Mederes University
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item Bock, Clive
item LEITE, LUIS - Instituto Biologicio - Brazil

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/13/2017
Publication Date: 5/18/2017
Citation: Hazir, S., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Bock, C.H., Leite, L. 2017. Trans-cinnamic acid and Xenorhabdus szentirmaii metabolites synergize the potency of some commercial fungicides. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 145:1-8. https://doi:10.1016/j.jip.2017.03.007.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2017.03.007

Interpretive Summary: Certain fungi can cause harmful plant diseases that reduce the productivity of fruit or nut-bearing trees and vegetables. New, environmentally friendly methods of controlling these plant diseases are needed. In this study, metabolites (i.e., byproducts) of certain bacteria were tested in combination with commercial fungicides to determine fungicidal activity. A number of combinations with the bacteria metabolites and commercial fungicides exhibited synergistic levels of fungicidal activity. Therefore, suppression of fungal diseases may be enhanced through the observed synergies.

Technical Abstract: In this study we explored the efficacy of commercial fungicide interactions when combined with either TCA or X. szentirmaii. Fungicides (active ingredient) included Abound® (Azoxystrobin), Serenade® (Bacillus subtilis), Elast® (dodine), Regalia® (extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis), Prophyt® (potassium phosphite) and PropiMax® (propiconazole). In laboratory experiments, singly-applied or combined agents were assessed for fungicidal activity against four plant-pathogenic fungi, Monilinia fructicola, Rhizoctonia solani, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Fusarium oxysporum. Fungicidal activity was measured by the phytopathogen’s growth on potato dextrose agar with and without fungicide. The interactions between fungicidal agents were determined as antagonistic, additive or synergistic. For suppression of M. fructicola, synergy was observed between TCA when combined with certain concentrations of Elast®, PropiMax®, Regalia®, Prophyte® or Serenade®, and for combinations of X. szentirmaii with Abound®. For suppression of R. solani, synergy was observed between TCA combined with Regalia® or Serenade®. Additionally, when TCA was combined with X. szentirmaii synergistic levels of suppression to M. fructicola were observed. Other combinations of TCA or X. szentirmaii with the fungicides or using alternate concentrations were either additive or occasionally antagonistic in nature. Our results indicate that TCA and X. szentirmaii can each act as strong synergists to enhance fungicidal efficacy. These results may be used to reduce negative environmental impacts of pesticide use while improving control of plant diseases.