Comparative evaluation of two plant defense elicitors for the control of black rot and Botrytis bunch rot diseases on grapevine
Résumé
Black rot (BR) and Botrytis bunch rot (BBR), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus
Guignardia bidwellii (Ellis) and the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, respectively, are two
major diseases of grapevine responsible for severe crop losses. The scarce number of available
and efficient biocontrol solutions against these pathogens results in an urgent need to develop
sustainable control strategies. Within the framework of the French research project VITAE, this
study aimed at evaluating and comparing the efficacy of two plant defense elicitors, Methyl
Jasmonate and COS-OGA. They were evaluated either in greenhouse conditions, via in planta
efficacy bioassays against BR, or in controlled laboratory conditions on detached leaves against
BBR. COS-OGA (200 mg/l), when applied preventively twice, displayed promising protection
rates, ranging from 50 % up to 73 %, against both BR and BBR. Conversely, MeJA application
resulted in a very limited efficiency, against both pathogens. These results indicated that COSOGA may be promising notably for the control of BR, but further studies should confirm its
efficacy, especially under field conditions