Synergistic effect of oligochitosan and silicon on inhibition of Monilinia fructicola infections

BACKGROUND: Oligochitosan has broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity and shows an obvious inhibitory effect on phytopathogens. In addition, as an exogenous elicitor, it can induce various defence responses, including affecting the activities of several defence‐related enzymes and substances in some plants. Owing to this dual function of oligochitosan, it can be used to control postharvest diseases of fruits. Silicon, like oligochitosan, also has a dual function. In this study the synergistic effect of oligochitosan and silicon on the decay control of apple fruit was investigated. RESULTS: In vitro, both oligochitosan and silicon significantly inhibited spore germination, germ tube elongation and mycelial growth of Monilinia fructicola, with higher concentrations having a greater effect. The synergistic effect of oligochitosan and silicon at half‐maximal inhibitory concentration on disease control at 25 °C was much better than the effect of oligochitosan or silicon alone, not only in vitro but also in vivo. CONCLUSION: The results showed that a combination of oligochitosan and silicon had a synergistic effect on the control of disease caused by M. fructicola in apple fruit at 25 °C. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry