Methionine-Riboflavin Mixtures with Surfactants and Metal Ions Reduce Powdery Mildew Infection in Strawberry Plants

Abstract

Foliar application of a mixture of methionine (1 m m ) and riboflavin (26.6 μ m ) reduced the severity of powdery mildew [ Sphaerotheca macularia (Wallr. ex Fr.) Jacz. f. sp. fragariae ] infection in `Earliglow' strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plants. Efficacy of this mixture on controlling powdery mildew infection was enhanced by supplements of copper, iron, and surfactants [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Triton X-100, Tween-20, or oxyalkylenemethylsiloxane (Silwet L-77)]. Free-radical scavengers (n-propyl gallate, thiourea) and antioxidants (α-tocopherol, β-carotene) reduced the efficacy of this mixture. Plants treated with a mixture of riboflavin (26.6 μ m ), d,l -methionine (1 m m ), copper sulfate pentahydrate (1 m m ), and surfactants (SDS or Silwet L-77 at concentrations of 0.05% to 0.1%) showed a decrease in powdery mildew infection. Results of this study suggest that treatment with a mixture of methionine and riboflavin is beneficial to strawberry plants and may serve as an alternative to fungicides for controlling powdery mildew.