Control of early blight fungus (Alternaria alternata) in tomato by boric and phenylboronic acid

Martinko, Katarina; Ivanković, Siniša; Lazarević, Boris; Đermić, Edyta; Đermić, Damir (2022) Control of early blight fungus (Alternaria alternata) in tomato by boric and phenylboronic acid. Antibiotics, 11 (3). ISSN 2079-6382

Preview

PDF - Published Version - article Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Finding a suitable alternative to the small pool of existing antifungal agents is a vital task in contemporary agriculture. Therefore, intensive research has been conducted globally to uncover environmentally friendly and efficient agents that can suppress pathogens resistant to the currently used antimycotics. Here, we tested the activity of boric acid (BA) and its derivative phenylboronic acid (PBA) in controlling the early blight symptoms in tomato plants infected with pathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata. By following the appearance and intensity of the lesions on leaves of the tested plants, as well as by measuring four selected physiological factors that reflect plant health, we have shown that both BA and PBA act prophylactically on fungal infection. They did it by reducing the amount and severity of early blight symptoms, as well as by preventing deterioration of the physiological traits, occurring upon fungal inoculation. Phenylboronic acid was more efficient in suppressing the impact of A. alternata infection. Therefore, we conclude that BA, and even more so PBA, may be used as agents for controlling early blight on tomato plants, as they are both quite effective and environmentally friendly.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	plant disease ; antimicrobial effect ; prophylaxis ; antifungal activity ; sustainable management
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology > Microbiology
Divisions:	Division of Molecular Biology Division of Molecular Medicine
Depositing User:	Damir Đermić
Date Deposited:	09 Nov 2022 12:21
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/7609
DOI:	10.3390/antibiotics11030320

Actions (login required)

View Item