Inhibition of fungal plant pathogens by synergistic action of chito-oligosaccharides and commercially available fungicides.
Chitosan is a linear heteropolymer consisting of β 1,4-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and D-glucosamine (GlcN). We have compared the antifungal activity of chitosan with DPn (average degree of polymerization) 206 and FA (fraction of acetylation) 0.15 and of enzymatically produced chito-oligosaccharides (CHOS) of different DPn alone and in combination with commercially available synthetic fungicides, against Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold in numerous fruit and vegetable crops. CHOS with DPn in the range of 15-40 had the greatest anti-fungal activity. The combination of CHOS and low dosages of synthetic fungicides showed synergistic effects on antifungal activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Our study shows that CHOS enhance the activity of commercially available fungicides. Thus, addition of CHOS, available as a nontoxic byproduct of the shellfish industry, may reduce the amounts of fungicides that are needed to control plant diseases.
Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
Md Hafizur
MH
Rahman
Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
Latifur Rahman
LR
Shovan
Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
Linda Gordon
LG
Hjeljord
Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
Berit Bjugan
BB
Aam
Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
Vincent G H
VG
Eijsink
Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
Morten
M
Sørlie
Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
Arne
A
Tronsmo
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000187:drug effects; D020171:Botrytis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002688:Chitinases / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029863:Cicer / Q000382:microbiology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D035264:Flowers / Q000382:microbiology; D031985:Fragaria / Q000382:microbiology; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D027845:Malus / Q000382:microbiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D048271:Chitosan; D002688:Chitinases