Electrospun Polymer-Fungicide Nanocomposites for Grapevine Protection.

Nasko Nachev,Iliya Rashkov,Nevena Manolova,Mariya Spasova,Petya Tsekova,Mladen Naydenov

doi:10.3390/polym13213673

Abstract

Nowadays, diseases in plants are a worldwide problem. Fungi represent the largest number of plant pathogens and are responsible for a range of serious plant diseases. Esca is a grapevine disease caused mainly by fungal pathogens Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (P. chlamydospora) and Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (P. aleophilum). The currently proposed methods to fight esca are not curative. In this study, polymer composites based on biodegradable polymer containing chemical fungicides with antifungal activity were successfully prepared by electrospinning. The obtained materials were hydrophobic with good mechanical properties. In vitro studies demonstrated that the fungicide release was higher from PLLA/K5N8Q fibrous mats (ca. 72% for 50 h) compared to the released drug amount from PLLA/5-Cl8Q materials (ca. 52% for 50 h), which is due to the better water-solubility of the salt. The antifungal activity of the fibrous materials against P. chlamydospora and P. aleophilum was studied as well. The incorporation of the fungicide in the biodegradable fibers resulted in the inhibition of fungal growth. The obtained materials are perspective candidates for the protection of vines from the penetration and growth of fungal pathogens.

Highlights

Grapevine trunk diseases reduce the lifespan of vineyards and increase the costs of producing wine grapes [1]
It is necessary to study the effect of incorporation of a biologically active substance(s) on the morphologies of fibers, their physical–chemical properties, and their ability to inhibit the growth and penetration of pathogenic fungi
The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that composite fibrous materials containing hydroxyquinoline derivatives have strong antifungal activity

Summary

Introduction

Grapevine trunk diseases reduce the lifespan of vineyards and increase the costs of producing wine grapes [1]. They are caused mainly by fungal pathogens, with the major pathogens including Phaeomoniella chlamydosporum, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, Botryosphaeria spp., Cylindrocarpon spp., Eutypa lata, and Phomopsis viticolaand [2]. Esca is a destructive grapevine trunk disease first described over 100 years ago, which occurs worldwide and induces heavy economic losses [3]. The disease could be developed by intensive pruning, frost, and other mechanical injuries. The disease can progress, potentially causing the entire plant to die [4]. Esca was first successfully controlled in 1903, when sodium arsenite was used as an insecticide on grapes

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Conclusion