Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Physiological impact of fungicide bitertanol on watermelon in a high tunnel

Author(s):

Eun-Young Choi ¹, Il-Hwan Cho ², Woo-Moon Lee ², Seung-Heui Kim ², Young-Hoe Woo ³*

Recieved Date: 2012-07-06, Accepted Date: 2012-09-22

Abstract:

This study aimed to determine the effect of bitertanol, a triazole fungicide, on moderating vegetative growth during a rapid fruit growth phase in watermelon plant grafted onto a bottle gourd rootstock. Leaf and stem growth of watermelon plant was temporarily retarded when each plant was treated with a single application of bitertanol solution at a 125 mg L^-1 concentration by soil drenching on 2 weeks after fruit set. Bitertanol treatment significantly (P<0.001) decreased photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, whereas it significantly (P<0.001) increased water use efficiency of the leaves, compared to those of control plants. A root-to-shoot ratio was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the bitertanol- treated plants. There was no statistical significance in IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) content between the roots of bitertanol-treated and control plants; however, it was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the leaves of bitertanol-treated plants. Sucrose content in the bitertanol-treated leaves was two-fold lower than that of control leaves, while there was no difference in the glucose content between the roots of bitertanol-treated and control plants at 2 weeks after treatment. There was no effect of bitertanol on fruit height, diameter and fresh weight. No bitertanol residue was detected in watermelon fruit when the bitertanol was applied by soil drenching; however, by foliar spray, the residue remained on the fruit. The data suggest that the application of fungicide bitertanol may have comparable effect to growth retardants, apart from its fungicidal property; however, care should be taken to select correct method in practical use. 

Keywords:

Citrullus lanatus, bitertanol, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, root to shoot ratio

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 362-367

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