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FAIR-CT95-0722
Production, Processing and Practical Application of Natural Antifungal Crop Protectants
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Contacts
Further Information
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Biotechnology
:
FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain
:
Integrated Crop Protection & Biological Control
:
Paints/Coatings/Plastics
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Type of Project |
Shared Cost |
| Contract No |
FAIR-CT95-0722 |
| Total Cost |
2,219,324 ECU |
| EC Contribution |
1,237,162 ECU |
| Start Date |
01/01/96 |
| Duration |
48 Months |
Production, processing and practical application of natural antifungal crop protectants
Objectives
Spoilage and plant pathogenic fungi are responsible for some 20% loss of the potential global plant
production for food and non-food use. The very large amount of chemical crop protectants used to
control these losses is detrimental for the environment and human health. This project has been initiated
to develop and implement non-chemical crop protection using natural antifungal agents: (green chemicals)
antagonistic microorganisms or antifungal metabolites from plant or microbial origin. These natural crop
protectants will be designed for use with food crops or non-food products vulnerable to fungal
deterioration.
Technical Approach
The research work to be conducted in this four-year project has been subdivided into four
consecutive phases:
- Selection of green chemicals and evaluation of their in vitro activity
- Subselection of green chemicals and evaluation of their in situ activity
- Optimisation of the application of the green chemicals
- Scaling-up of the applications
Results to Date
In 1997, research focused on the in situ performance of the green chemicals, on their
toxicity to non-target organisms, and on cultivation of the antagonists. Except for one, all of the
milestones of phase two have been accomplished; development and production of formulations for plant
volatiles had to be postponed to the next phase. Evaluation of the human toxicity of plant-derived green
chemicals, which was originally scheduled in phase 1, has taken much longer than anticipated and
consequently this task has been prolonged.
Specific achievements include:
Plant extracts, essential oils and volatiles
- An in vitro assay has been developed to evaluate the fungicide activity of plant volatiles in
the gas phase towards conidia.
- S-carvone completely suppressed development of Penicillium hirsutum at the basal plate of
Dutch iris bulbs during low temperature storage.
- A gas chromatographic method has been developed and optimised to quantify the concentration of
the principle fungicidal components in ethanolic plant extracts.
- When applied in a coating on wheat grains, clove extract completely inhibited development of
moulds during storage. This effect was solely due to the eugenol in the coating. In general, doses required
to suppress mould growth also inhibited germination. In order to protect the grains better against the
phytotoxic activity of the green chemicals, wax-based coatings were developed.
Antagonistic microorganisms
- Application of low doses of Bacillus sp. reduced damage by late blight on potatoes
(Phytophthora infestans) and downy mildew on spinach (Peronospora farinosa) to a
large extent.
- Pseudomonas marginalis suppressed damping-off (Pythium sp.) on cucumber and
has also a very promising potential for application against storage fungi on seeds and grains. A
preparation of Fusarium aquaeductuum applied as a coating on cucumber seeds suppressed
development of Pythium ultimum and reduced grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) on several
crops.
- Gliocladium catenulatum also suppressed grey mould on several crops, as well as damping
off and black stem rot (Didymella brioniae) on cucumber and silver scurf (Helminthosporium
solani) on stored potatoes.
Toxicology
- A database containing toxicological data on the plant-derived chemicals (7 herbs, 8 plant volatiles
and 1 essential oil) selected for the project has been extended and updated.
- The in vitro toxicity and mutagenicity of plant volatiles have been evaluated.
Protection of cucumber seedlings from Pythium ultimum by
treatment with Gliocladium catenulatum
(left treated, right untreated)
Protection of potatoes from silver scurf (Helminthosporium
solani) by treatment with carvone (left untreated, right treated)
Contacts
Coordinator
Participant
