MANAGEMENT OF POWDERY MILDEW OF STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIAE × ANANNASA) BY THE APPLICATION OF ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM EXTRACT

Abstract

Strawberry, an important fruit crop, is susceptible to a number of pathogens, which leads to a reduction in its productivity. Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) is widely used as biostimulant. In this study, I evaluated the effect of ANE on powdery mildew of strawberry. The progression of disease was significantly reduced in ANE sprayed leaves in both detached as well as greenhouse-grown plants. In laboratory conditions, application of 0.2 % ANE showed maximum reduction in powdery mildew progression as compared to the control plants. ANE sprayed leaves showed higher phenolic and flavonoid content in response to powdery mildew infection. Furthermore, ANE application elicited defense response by inducing the activities of defense-related enzymes. Under field condition, ANE reduced the natural incidence as well as disease severity of powdery mildew. These results indicate that the ANE application increases the strawberry plant’s active defense against powdery mildew by regulating the activities of defense-related enzymes.