The Effects of Boron-Containing Compounds against Monilinia fructigena Mycelium Growth

Abstract

Monilinia fructigena is the causative agent of brown rot in pome fruits, contributing to substantial economic losses, especially in storage facilities. The effects of boron-containing compounds have been considered as an environmentally friendly alternative to fungicides. The objective of the study was to determine suitable boron-containing compounds for inhibiting the mycelium growth of M. fructigena. Eight different compounds with pH adjusted to neutral (pH 7) and non-neutral were tested with concentrations of 0 (untreated control), 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mM in vitro conditions. The mycelium growth of the pathogen was totally inhibited with the application of 20 mM of potassium tetrafluoroborate and 10 mM of sodium tetrafluoroborate. The tested concentrations of ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate, antidot-67, sodium metaborate, and sodium tetraborate decahydrate were not sufficiently effective in inhibiting the mycelium growth of M. fructigena, but the experiment of higher concentrations of them could be utility against the pathogen. The pH of boron-containing compounds was crucial in improving the efficacy of compounds, and the non-neutral compounds showed better results against to inhibition of M. fructigena mycelium growth. The results showed that boron-containing compounds may be pathogen-specific and that the activity of these compounds is related to pH.