CONTROL OF FIRE BLIGHT WITH THE PLANT ACTIVATOR BION®

After the first positive results of the plant activator BION® (Acibenzolar-S-methyl) of the company NOVARTIS against several phytopathogens, it is known to have a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) effect.
In the present study BION® was tested on the similar effect against Fire Blight (Erwinia amylovora) as a possible alternative to streptomycin.
First in in vitro studies (in agardiffusion test) no inhibitory effect against the pathogen was found.
In a bioassay on pear fruit slices BION® could induce a reduction in exsudate production of 63% compared to water treated control.
In further experiments under greenhouse conditions with the highly susceptible M26 rootstock BION® treatment resulted in a marked SAR effect.
A high decrease of the disease rate of 70 % was correlated with a reduction of the bacterial growth up to 60%.

Further studies in the field under artificial infection conditions during full bloom with the highly susceptible apple variety ‘James Grieve’ resulted in a control effect of BION® up to 68% with two concentrations of the compound.
Summarizing the results of the present study BION® showed a marked resistance induction effect against Fire Blight.

VIII International Workshop on Fire Blight

W. Zeller, V. Zeller

Biocontrol, Erwinia amylovora, plant activator BION®, systemic acquired resistance (SAR)

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.489.114