Preventive and curative effects of salicylic and methyl salicylic acid having antifungal potential against Monilinia laxa and the development of phenolic response in apple peel

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) and one of its better-known derivatives—methyl salicylic acid (MeSA)—on the infection of apple fruits with the fungus Monilinia laxa, which causes brown rot, were investigated. Since research to date has focused on preventive effects, we also focused on the curative use of SA and MeSA. Curative use of SA and MeSA slowed the progression of the infection. In contrast, preventive use was generally unsuccessful. HPLC–MS was used to analyze the content of phenolic compounds in apple peels in healthy and boundary peel tissues around lesions. The boundary tissue around the lesions of untreated infected apple peel had up to 2.2-times higher content of total analyzed phenolics (TAPs) than that in the control. Flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids and dihydrochalcones were also higher in the boundary tissue. During the curative treatment with salicylates, the ratio of TAP content between healthy and boundary tissue was lower (SA up to 1.2-times higher and MeSA up to 1.3-times higher content of TAPs in boundary compared to those in healthy tissue) at the expense of also increasing the content in healthy tissues. The results confirm that salicylates and infection with the fungus M. laxa cause an increased content of phenolic compounds. Curative use of salicylates has a greater potential than preventive use in infection control

Alternative products against anthracnose affect selected primary and secondary metabolites in strawberry fruit

Introduction. Anthracnose disease causes severe economic losses in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) production. Plant response to the pathogen attack is closely linked to its content and composition of polyphenols. In order to reduce the damage caused by pathogens, organic and inorganic fungicides are applied. The aim was to determine the influence of selected fungicides on various metabolites in strawberry fruit. Materials and methods. The efficiency of potassium bicarbonate (PBC) and acetic acid (AA) was compared with the control and a fungicide treatment in the strawberry cv. Elsanta. To examine the possible effects of these fungicides, artificial inoculation was performed in all treatments except for the control. The percentage of infected fruits and the content of selected primary and secondary metabolites in non-infected and infected fruits were determined. Results and discussion. Both analyzed inorganic fungicides proved effective against anthracnose. AA treated fruits were the least infected (only 4%), followed by PBC, fungicide and control. The highest percentage (9.26%) of infected fruits was determined following artificial infection treatment. Total sugar content decreased for 32% in infected control and AA treated fruits. PBC treatment exhibited a positive effect on the organic acid content in comparison with other treatments. The content of phenolic compounds was higher in PBC treated fruits and did not change significantly after infection. Infection increased the total flavonol content of the fruit. Conclusion. The use of PBC and AA potentially present a prospective protection in the strawberry orchards especially for controlling anthracnose in organic fruit crops