Antifungal Activity of Agro-Materials against Pear Scab (Venturia nashicola) and Pear Rust (Gymnosporangium asiaticum) Fungi

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal activity of 19 agro-materials that have been registered for organic cultivation in Korea, after inoculation of pear leaves with Venturia nashicola and Gymnosporangium asiaticum. In V. nashicola, most of the nine agro- materials containing sulfur and copper completely inhibited spore germination, and some of the spores that germinated did not form appressoria. However, in only lime sulfur, Neobordeaux (cupric sulfate), and Wheengaris (sulfur) showed antifungal activity against G. asiaticum. Among the agro-materials containing plant extracts, Wheengarujaba (wood vinegar+spirits+rhubarb) inhibited conidial germination in V. nashicola and G. asiaticum by 100% and 71.6%, respectively. Among the agro-materials containing antifungal microorganisms, Cheongotan (Streptomyces griseus) reduced spore germination rate of V. nashicola to 88.8%; moreover, formation of appressoria or intracellular accumulation was not observed. Application of Topsid (Paenibacillus polymyxa) reduced spore germination rates in V. nashicola and G. asiaticum to 71.0% and 90.6%, respectively, and the formation of appressoria was not observed. Studying the antifungal activity of agro-materials because of cumulative applications under the field conditions is necessary, owing to their contact fungicidal effect and the induced-resistance by microbial metabolites and natural compounds.

Keywords

• Agro-Materials
• Antifungal activity
• Gymnosporangium asiaticum
• Venturia nashicola