Abstract
BackgroundDue to the increased economic and social benefits of the strawberry crop yield in Egypt, more attention has been paid to control its pests and diseases. Leaf blight, caused by the fungus Phomopsis obscurans, is one of the important diseases of strawberry plants. Therefore, effect of silicon and potassium, sodium and calcium silicates, and a fungicide on Phomopsis leaf blight of strawberry under laboratory and field conditions was examined.ResultsFour concentrations, i.e., 0, 2, 4, and 6 g/l of silicon as well as potassium, sodium and calcium silicates could significantly reduce the linear growth of tested fungus in the laboratory test where complete inhibition of linear growth was obtained with 6 g/l. The other concentrations showed less but favorable effects. The highest reduction of disease severity was obtained with potassium silicate and calcium silicate separately applied as soil treatment combined with foliar spray which reduced the disease incidence by 83.3 and 86.7%, respectively. Other treatments showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) but less effect. The highest yield increase was obtained with potassium silicate and calcium silicate applied as soil treatment combined with foliar spray which increased fruit yield by 60 and 53.8%, respectively. All tested treatments increased (P ≤ 0.05) the activities of the peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and chitinase enzymes.ConclusionsAll tested concentrations of silicon salts have suppressed the fungal growth and disease spread but with different degrees. The more the concentration, the better it suppresses the fungal growth and consequent effect on damaging strawberry plants. Potassium silicate and calcium silicate separately applied as soil treatment combined with foliar spray were the best in reducing the disease incidence and increasing crop yield. Potential implications of silicate salts on enhancing activities of the tested enzymes reflected their role in protection against such a plant disease.
Highlights
Due to the increased economic and social benefits of the strawberry crop yield in Egypt, more attention has been paid to control its pests and diseases
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of silicon as well as potassium, sodium, and calcium silicates against Phomopsis leaf blight of strawberry plants in the laboratory and under field conditions
The highest increase was obtained with potassium silicate and calcium silicate applied as soil treatment + foliar spray which increased strawberry yield by 60 and 53.8%, respectively
Summary
Due to the increased economic and social benefits of the strawberry crop yield in Egypt, more attention has been paid to control its pests and diseases. Leaf blight, caused by the fungus Phomopsis obscurans, is one of the important diseases of strawberry plants. In Egypt, strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) has become increasingly important crop in recent years due to its economic and social benefits (El-Shemy et al 2013). Growing strawberry may be attacked by numerous pathogens and pests which render its crop yield to considerable losses. The disease can weaken strawberry plants through the destruction of foliage, which results in considerably reduced yields (Elmer 1990; Louws 2007; Louws and Ridge 2014; Ellis and Nita 2018)
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