The potential of fludioxonil for anthracnose control on China chili fruit

Abstract

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum scovillei, is one of the most destructive disease which causes massive yield losses in chili. Our preliminary study has demonstrated that fludioxonil had high activity against mycelial growth and spore germination of C. scovillei but it has not been labeled on chili. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fludioxonil on C. scovillei infection. In greenhouse and field trials, fludioxonil was applied to chili plants to determine the duration of protection of fruit provided by this compound against chili anthracnose. Fludioxonil may have impact on the early stage of chili anthracnose infection by inhibiting the germ tube elongation and appressorium formation. Moreover, it inhibited the secondary infection of C. scovillei by inhibiting the sporulation, germination of spores and formation of appressoria. Fludioxonil provided high level of protective activity for up to 96 h, as well as excellent curative activity of within 24 h in vivo tests. In field trials, fludioxonil can reduce the incidence and severity of chili anthracnose while giving a higher chili yield. These results suggest that fludioxonil could be a promising fungicide for anthracnose control in chili production.