Suppressive effect of potassium silicate on powdery mildew of strawberry in hydroponics

Abstract

From 1996 to 1997 ) was tested at 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg l Ϫ1 in hydroponics to control powdery mildew. Other elements were added in the usual amounts, and the strawberries were cultivated hydroponically in a greenhouse for 4 months (from October to January). The powdery mildew spread in the control plot, but little mildew developed in the plot with 25 mg l Ϫ1 silicate, and none in plots with more than 50 mg l Ϫ1 silicate. The suppressive effect lasted for about 4 months on fruits and even longer on leaves. On analysis of mineral content in the leaves, only the silicate content differed markedly between the control and treated plants. Nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, and calcium contents did not differ greatly. The maximum silicate content was about 24 times that of the control, and disease severity decreased significantly when the content was more than 1.5% in the leaves. The hardness of the strawberry leaves, measured by a creep meter, was increased by the silicate treatment.

Understanding the Role of Nanomaterials in Agriculture

“…Besides, it also promotes the physiological activity and growth of plants and induces disease and stress resistance in plants (Garver et al 1998 ;Kanto et al 2004 ). Since the effect of silica varies with the physiological environment, it has not been registered as an agrochemical.…”

Role of Silicon on Enhancing Disease Resistance in Tropical Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

“…Silicon had beneficial effects on strawberry plants and may serve as an alternative to fungicides for controlling powdery mildew when supplied as a foliar spray of potassium and sodium silicate. Kanto et al (2004Kanto et al ( , 2007 and Wang and Galletta (1996) have recorded similar results about the strawberry-powdery mildew patho-system. However, root application of silicon could not reduce the disease severity in strawberry (Bowen et al, 1992).…”

Soil application of potassium silicate reduces the intensity of downy mildew in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) leaves

“…Suppressive effect of silicon against plant pathogens has been known for many years (Cherif et al, 1994;Kanto et al, 2004) especially for diseases in rice plants (Datnoff et al, 1997). Present study revealed that soluble silicon has a suppressive effect on downy mildew in bitter gourd leaves.…”