Sensitivity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae, the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of eggplant to some ammonium, potassium, and sodium compounds in vitro and in vivo bioassays

This study evaluated the efficacy of various salts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae (Fomg) in vitro and in vivo bioassays. Ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate, potassium benzoate/sorbate, sodium benzoate/carbonate/metabisulphite at 2.0% entirely halted mycelial growth and spore germination of the fungus. Considering the EC50, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration values of the salts, sodium metabisulphite was more toxic to the fungus. In soil bioassays, at 0.4% and 0.6%, sodium metabisulphite and potassium sorbate reduced the mycelial growth of the fungus by 98.89%. However, in the soil/seed germination bioassays, potassium sorbate and sodium carbonate at 0.05-0.1% concentrations had a much lower inhibitory effect on root elongation compared to the others. The two salts may be possible to reduce the number of traditional fungicides required by integrating them with disease management strategies. However, the possibility of including inorganic salts in programs to treat fungal diseases requires further research in the greenhouse conditions.