January
2005
, Volume
95
, Number
1
Pages
69
-
75
Authors
Guo Z.
Qin
and
Shi P.
Tian
Affiliations
Key Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environmental Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiangshan Nanxincun 20, Haidian District, Beijing 100093, China
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Accepted for publication 1 September 2004.
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Exogenous application of silicon (Si) in the form of sodium metasilicate reduced disease development caused by Penicillium expansum and Monilinia fructicola in sweet cherry fruit at 20°C. The inhibition of fruit decay was correlated closely with Si concentrations. Silicon at concentrations of 1%, in combination with the biocontrol agent Cryptococcus laurentii at 1 × 107 cells per ml, provided synergistic effects against both diseases. Population dynamics of C. laurentii were stimulated by Si 48 h after the yeast treatment in the wounds of sweet cherry fruit. Silicon strongly inhibited spore germination and germ tube elongation of P. expansum and M. fructicola in vitro. Based on results with scanning electron microscopy, growth of both pathogens was significantly inhibited by Si in the wounds of sweet cherry fruit. Compared with the wounded water control, Si treatment induced a significant increase in the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenoloxidase, and peroxidase in sweet cherry fruit but did not increase the levels of lignin. Application of Si activated a cytochemical reaction and caused tissue browning near the site of wounding. Based on our studies, the improvement in biocontrol efficacy of antagonistic yeast when combined with Si may be associated with the increased population density of antagonistic yeast by Si, the direct fungitoxicity property of Si to the pathogens, and the elicitation of biochemical defense responses in fruit.
JnArticleKeywords
Additional keywords:
blue mold
,
brown rot
,
induced resistance
,
mode of action
.
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ArticleCopyright
© 2005 The American Phytopathological Society