Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-GUZMAN, Carlos A.; GONZALEZ-ESTRADA, Ramsés R.; BAUTISTA-BANOS, Silvia  and  GUTIERREZ-MARTINEZ, Porfirio. Effect of chitosan on the control of Alternaria sp. in tomato plants at greenhouse. TIP [online]. 2019, vol.22, e161.  Epub Mar 04, 2020. ISSN 1405-888X.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fesz.23958723e.2018.0.161.

Mexico is the main exporter of tomato worldwide. The use of greenhouses favors the protection and production of vegetables, however; tomato seedlings are sensitive to necrotrophic fungi such as Alternaria sp. The use of fungicides for disease control has been effective, however; the damage to the environment and the appearance of resistant strains leads the investigation of safe alternatives to the use of synthetic fungicides. Chitosan possesses antifungal activity in addition to the ability to activate defense mechanisms in plants. In this study, tomato seedlings were treated with chitosan at different concentrations. The percentage of foliar damage, spore's germination, induction of hydrogen peroxide and enzymatic activity (peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase) was determined. A statistically significant reduction in leaf damage and germination of spores was obtained in plants treated with 0.01% chitosan (up to 80%) compared to the control. The production of H2O2 and the enzymatic activity was induced in treated plants. Thus, the application of chitosan can be a viable alternative for rot control caused by Alternaria sp. in tomato.

Keywords : Biopolymer; antifungal; elicitor; protection.

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