Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXIX, Issue 1
Written by Vladimir ROTARU, Vladimir TODIRAȘ
Powdery mildew, caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea is a widespread disease affecting cucumber plants causing yield losses worldwide. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of the ecological plant protection products of monopotasium phosphate, dipotasium phosphate and Neem oil on powdery mildew disease severity. The study, also, evaluated the changes of photosynthetic pigments contents in leaves in relation to treatments. All treatments resulted in a significantly lower mildew infection development than untreated control plants (water spray). The application of Neem oil emulsion alone recorded the lowest efficacy rate. The most significant disease severity reduction was registered in the treatment with integrated use of dipotasium phosphate (1%) and Neem oil (0.5%) compared to the other treatments. The foliar application of the tested compounds improved the status of photosynthetic pigments in leaves and no phytotoxicity was observed on the plants. This research demonstrated that the integrated application of potassium phosphates and Neem oil had fungicidal activity against powdery mildew.
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