Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry Metabolites
Powdery mildew caused by the fungus <i>Erysiphe necator</i> is a major grape disease worldwide. It attacks foliage and berries and reduces yield and wine quality. Fungicides are mainly used for combating the disease. Fungicide resistance and the global requisite to reduce pesticide deplo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/7/978 |
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| author | Lior Gur Yigal Cohen Omer Frenkel Ron Schweitzer Meir Shlisel Moshe Reuveni |
| author_facet | Lior Gur Yigal Cohen Omer Frenkel Ron Schweitzer Meir Shlisel Moshe Reuveni |
| author_sort | Lior Gur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Powdery mildew caused by the fungus <i>Erysiphe necator</i> is a major grape disease worldwide. It attacks foliage and berries and reduces yield and wine quality. Fungicides are mainly used for combating the disease. Fungicide resistance and the global requisite to reduce pesticide deployment encourage the use of environment-friendly alternatives for disease management. Our field experiments showed that the foliar application of the potassium phosphate fertilizer Top-KP+ (1-50-33 NPK) reduced disease incidence on leaves and clusters by 15–65% and severity by 75–90%, compared to untreated vines. Top-KP+ mixed with Nanovatz (containing the micronutrients boron (B) and zinc (Zn)) or with TruPhos Platinum (a mixture containing N, P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, K<sub>2</sub>O, Zn, B, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Mo, and CO) further reduced disease incidence by 30–90% and disease severity by 85–95%. These fertilizers were as effective as the fungicide tebuconazole. Tank mixtures of fertilizers and tebuconazole further enhanced control efficacy in the vineyards. The modes of action of fertilizers in disease control were elucidated via tests with grape seedlings, microscopy, and berry metabolomics. Fertilizers applied preventively to the foliage of grape seedlings inhibited powdery mildew development. Application onto existing mildew colonies plasmolyzed mycelia and conidia and arrested the development of the disease. Berries treated with fertilizers or with a fungicide showed a significant increase in anti-fungal and antioxidant metabolites. Twenty-two metabolites, including non-protein amino acids and carbohydrates, known for their anti-fungal and bioactive effects, were significantly upregulated in grapes treated with fertilizers as compared to grapes treated with a fungicide, suggesting possible indirect activity against the pathogen. Esters and organic acids that contribute to wine quality were also upregulated. We conclude that integrating macro and micronutrients in spray programs in commercial vineyards shall control powdery mildew, reduce fungicide deployment, delay the buildup of fungicide resistance, and may improve wine quality. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:30:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-da7b903a06c642a8a2afde2a4c1e4427 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:30:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-da7b903a06c642a8a2afde2a4c1e44272023-11-30T23:51:45ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472022-04-0111797810.3390/plants11070978Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry MetabolitesLior Gur0Yigal Cohen1Omer Frenkel2Ron Schweitzer3Meir Shlisel4Moshe Reuveni5Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, IsraelFaculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290000, IsraelDepartment of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7528809, IsraelAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory, Tel-Hai College, Qiryat Shemona 1220800, IsraelAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory, Tel-Hai College, Qiryat Shemona 1220800, IsraelShamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, IsraelPowdery mildew caused by the fungus <i>Erysiphe necator</i> is a major grape disease worldwide. It attacks foliage and berries and reduces yield and wine quality. Fungicides are mainly used for combating the disease. Fungicide resistance and the global requisite to reduce pesticide deployment encourage the use of environment-friendly alternatives for disease management. Our field experiments showed that the foliar application of the potassium phosphate fertilizer Top-KP+ (1-50-33 NPK) reduced disease incidence on leaves and clusters by 15–65% and severity by 75–90%, compared to untreated vines. Top-KP+ mixed with Nanovatz (containing the micronutrients boron (B) and zinc (Zn)) or with TruPhos Platinum (a mixture containing N, P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, K<sub>2</sub>O, Zn, B, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Mo, and CO) further reduced disease incidence by 30–90% and disease severity by 85–95%. These fertilizers were as effective as the fungicide tebuconazole. Tank mixtures of fertilizers and tebuconazole further enhanced control efficacy in the vineyards. The modes of action of fertilizers in disease control were elucidated via tests with grape seedlings, microscopy, and berry metabolomics. Fertilizers applied preventively to the foliage of grape seedlings inhibited powdery mildew development. Application onto existing mildew colonies plasmolyzed mycelia and conidia and arrested the development of the disease. Berries treated with fertilizers or with a fungicide showed a significant increase in anti-fungal and antioxidant metabolites. Twenty-two metabolites, including non-protein amino acids and carbohydrates, known for their anti-fungal and bioactive effects, were significantly upregulated in grapes treated with fertilizers as compared to grapes treated with a fungicide, suggesting possible indirect activity against the pathogen. Esters and organic acids that contribute to wine quality were also upregulated. We conclude that integrating macro and micronutrients in spray programs in commercial vineyards shall control powdery mildew, reduce fungicide deployment, delay the buildup of fungicide resistance, and may improve wine quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/7/978<i>Erysiphe necator</i>bio-stimulantsfertilizers therapymetabolomicssecondary metabolitesantioxidants |
| spellingShingle | Lior Gur Yigal Cohen Omer Frenkel Ron Schweitzer Meir Shlisel Moshe Reuveni Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry Metabolites Plants <i>Erysiphe necator</i> bio-stimulants fertilizers therapy metabolomics secondary metabolites antioxidants |
| title | Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry Metabolites |
| title_full | Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry Metabolites |
| title_fullStr | Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry Metabolites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry Metabolites |
| title_short | Mixtures of Macro and Micronutrients Control Grape Powdery Mildew and Alter Berry Metabolites |
| title_sort | mixtures of macro and micronutrients control grape powdery mildew and alter berry metabolites |
| topic | <i>Erysiphe necator</i> bio-stimulants fertilizers therapy metabolomics secondary metabolites antioxidants |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/7/978 |
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