title: Plant chitinase as a possible biocontrol agent for use instead of chemical fungicides.
abstract: We investigated whether a plant chitinase can be used as a biocontrol agent instead of chemical fungicides by spraying chitinase E (family 19; class IV) from a yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb) alone or together with beta-1,3-glucanase directly onto the surface of a powdery mildew infecting strawberry berries and leaves. Results were observed by eye and with a scanning electron microscope. The powdery mildew infecting the strawberries was degraded, mainly by the chitinase, and the disease did not appear again for more than 2 weeks. These results indicated that this kind of plant chitinase might be safe and biodegradable biocontrol agent for use instead of conventional fungicides.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karasuda
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kajihara
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Daizo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koga
mesh_terms: D002688:Chitinases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000201:enzymology*; D031985:Fragaria; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000633:toxicity; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; C037833:zymolyase; D006867:Hydrolases; D002688:Chitinases