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Powdery Mildew Protection with Armurox: An Improved Strategy for Silicon Application



Author(s)

A. Botta, N. Sierras, C. Marín, M. Carrión and R. Piñol

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DOI:10.17265/2161-6256/2011.11A.012

Department of Research & Development, Division of Plant Physiology, BIOIBERICA, S.A., Palafolls, Barcelona 08389, Spain

Powdery mildew diseases cause severe losses in a wide variety of crop plants, for which no polyvalent fungicide measures are available for every disease situation. In addition, alternative treatments for plant disease protection have recently raised more interest due to restrictions and environmental concerns regarding the use of pesticides worldwide. This study was aimed at verify a new technology for integrated disease management strategies to protect crops against pathogenic fungi. Armurox^®, a formulation of specific peptide compounds with soluble silicon (Si), acts as an active barrier in preventing haustorial penetration and stimulating plant defense mechanisms when the pathogen appears. This mode of action was tested on different plant pathosystems and its field effectiveness evaluated on several fruit and horticultural crops, compared with most used chemical treatments. The peptide biocompatible coformulant promotes greater Si foliar uptake in comparison with mineral silicate, as can be concluded from leaf Si deposition analysis, which in turns enhances plant resistance to fungi attack.

Soluble silicon, powdery mildew, foliar application, induced resistance, biocompatible uptake enhancers.