Fungitoxicity activity of Phosphorus and Calcarea carbonica against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and control of white mold in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with extremely diluted aqueous solutions
Rissato BB, JR Stangarlin, Dildey ODF, da Silva CR, Gonçalves Trevisoli EDV, Coltro Roncato S, Webler TFB, Kuhn OJ, Neto AJA, Fois DAF, Coppo JC
Abstract
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the main Brazilian agricultural crops. Numerous diseases have affected such a crop during its life cycle, such as white mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This fungus is quite aggressive and requires an intensive use of pesticides. This study aimed at evaluating white mold control and antimicrobial activity against S. sclerotiorum using extremely diluted aqueous solutions of Phosphorus and Calcarea carbonica, at 6CH, 12CH, 24CH, 36CH and 48CH dynamizations (centesimal Hahnemannian). The tests were carried out in a completely randomized design, with 10 treatments and 5 replicates each, considering water as control. Variables including disease progression, the number of dead plants, the number of sclerotia, and mycelial growth were evaluated by in vivo and in vitro tests. The treatments Phosphorus 12CH, Phosphorus 48CH, Calcarea carbonica 12CH, and Calcarea carbonica 48CH presented resistance inducing action by slowing down the disease progression up to 83% and decreasing the number of dead plants up to 90%. In vitro tests showed that the treatments Phosphorus 12CH, Phosphorus 48CH and Calcarea carbonica 48CH slowed down the mycelial growth. The latter also completely inhibited the production of sclerotia. These results indicate the potential of Phosphorus 12CH, Phosphorus 48CH, Calcarea carbonica 12CH, and Calcarea carbonica 48CH for controlling S. sclerotiorum in common beans.
Key words: Alternative control, high dilutions, homeopathy, Phaseolus vulgaris L., repertorization.