The effect of chitosan on limitation of growth and development of some pathogenic fungi for ornamental plants
The inhibitory effect of crab-shell chitosan, medium (200-800 cps) and high molecular weight ( 800-2000 cps) (purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chemicals) toward <i>Alternaria alternata, Botrytis tulipae, Fiisarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>callistephi, Fusarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>tulipae, Phoma narcissi</i> and <i> Phoma poolensis</i> was evaluated <i>in vitro</i> and in <i>vivo</i>. The chitosan evidently inhibited in vitro growth of all tested pathogens, with a marked effect at higher concentrations above 200 μg/cm<sup>3</sup>. Chitosan at a concentration of 1,25; 2,5 and 5,0 mg/cm<sup>3</sup> didn't have inhibitory action in appearance of fungi growth on naturally contaminated <i>Callistephus chinensis</i> seeds. At the same concentrations, chitosan applied as bulb scales dressing of <i>Hymenocallis narcissiflora</i> bulbs, before inoculation or after inoculation with <i>Phoma narcissi</i>, inhibited the development of necrotic spots on scales. Chitosan used preventively or curatively at a concentrations of 1,25; 2,5 and 5,0 mg/cm<sup>3</sup> indicated inhibitory effect on development of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>tulipae</i> on tulip bulbs. Chitosan at a concentration of 10 mg/cm<sup>3</sup> applied preventively (first spray 12th June) was very effective in the control of <i>Puccinia antirrhini</i> on snapdragon in the field. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed on snapdragon treated 8 times at week intervals.