Action of potassium phosphites on the management of white mold in soybean

ABSTRACT

White mold in the soybean crop is a disease of difficult control and the use of fungicides is not sufficient to prevent significant losses since, besides causing environmental damage, has high costs. Alternative methods, such as foliar fertilizers with potassium phosphite, can also be used in the management of this disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium phosphites on white mold control in soybean through application in different phenological stages of the crop, as well as to assess the action of these products on the induction of defense responses in plants. The tested phosphites were: Phosphite A (P₂O₅-40%, K₂O-20%); Phosphite B (P₂O₅-40%, K₂O-28%); Phosphite C (P₂O₅-40%, K₂O-20%), and Phosphite D (P₂O₅-30%, K₂O-20%). The effect of phosphites on the pathogen was evaluated, in vitro, based on mycelial inhibition. In the resistance induction tests, the synthesis of glyceollins was evaluated in soybean cotyledons and the enzymes PAL and POX were evaluated in seedlings, in a growth chamber, after spraying with the phosphites and the fungicide fluazinam. A field experiment was also carried out in an area naturally infested with the phytopathogen with the aim of evaluating the effect of these phosphites on the management of white mold in the soybean crop. None of the tested phosphites reduced the mycelial growth of the pathogen and/or induced the synthesis of glyceollins. However, all tested phosphites, especially phosphites C and D, increased PAL and POX synthesis activity and were more effective in controlling the disease in the field.

Keywords
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ; alternative management; resistance induction