Plant chitinase as a possible biocontrol agent for use instead of chemical fungicides.
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.
Karasuda
Shuji
S
Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
Tanaka
Shuhei
S
Kajihara
Hiroshi
H
Yamamoto
Yuji
Y
Koga
Daizo
D
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
D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; C037833:zymolyase; D006867:Hydrolases; D002688:Chitinases