Inhibition effect of selected inorganic metal ions on the mycelial growth of Cryphonectria parasitica

Abstract

In the current study the antifungal activity of inorganic reagents was tested against Cryphonectria parasitica in vitro in a mycelial growth inhibition test. Three reagents, each consisting of chloride silver (AgCl) in combination with (1) aluminum oxide − Al2O3, (2) zinc oxide − ZnO, and (3) Al2O3 and titanium dioxide – TiO2, were tested. Significant differences of the tested reagents on the growth of C. parasitica were recorded. The study demonstrated that silver in mixture with ZnO had an antifungal effect and significantly reduced the mycelial growth of C. parasitica in vitro. The mixture of AgCl with the other two combinations of inorganic metal oxides had no inhibition effect on the growth of the pathogen. It was confirmed that ZnO (applied in a single compound test) is responsible for inhibition of C. parasitica mycelium growth. A preliminary in planta assay was performed but statistically significant differences were not recorded in the average increment of canker length.

Keywords

• antifungal activity
• in planta assay
• in vitro test
• inorganic reagents
• silver chloride
• zinc oxide