Evaluación in vitro de fungicidas para el control de Monilinia spp. que afecta el cultivo de durazno (Prunus pérsica) en provincias de la Sierra Ecuatoriana

Abstract

Monilinia spp. is a phytopathogen that affects peach crops in the Ecuadorian highlands causing a disease known as brown rot. This disease represents a limiting factor in the crop's yield, producing losses of up to 50 %. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of five commercial fungicides used for the control of Monilinia in 4 Ecuadorian provinces (Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha and Tungurahua). For this purpose, fungi were isolated from peach fruits presenting the typical disease symptoms, and 21 samples were positively identified as Monilinia by morphological analysis (mycelium stain and spore shape). To evaluate the fungicide efficiency, the EC50 value (the effective fungicide concentration at which 50 % of the conidial germination is inhibited) was determined using samples from Imbabura, Carchi and Tungurahua. It was found that the five fungicides tested (Bravo, Mertec, Rovral, Tilt and Switch) were very efficient in controlling this phytopathogen (EC50 <0.01µg/ml). This research presents a useful approach for the establishment of strategies to control and prevent M. fructicola in peach cultivars and other crops that may be susceptible to this fungus in the country.