Silício no controle da mancha-aquosa em meloeiro (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

Melon bacterial blotch caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli (Aac) is responsible for substantial yield losses in Northeastern Brazil. The research aimed at two main objectives: 1) evaluating the effects of silicon doses on the melon bacterial blotch control as a function of soil characteristics, disease epidemiological components, plant nutrition and development, and direct effect on the pathogen; and 2) evaluating the enzyme activity in melons supplied with silicon either innoculated or non-innoculated by the pathogen. Calcium silicate was added to soil at the rates 0.00; 0.25; 0.50; 1.50 e 3.00 g kg-1 SiO2. After a 20-day incubation period soil samples were taken and melon seedlings (AF 4945) were transferd to soil. The folowing characteristcs were evaluated: incubation period, disease index, area below the progress curve of the disease, and incidence at 20 days after innoculation. Analysis of plant growth and development as well as nutrients accumulation were done in 45 days-old plants. The results demonstrated that the highest Si rate promoted significant alterations in soil chemical attributes and plant nutrition and development. This rate also reduced the disease index, the area below the progress curve of the disease and the incidence, hence increasing theincubation period and controling the bacterial blotch. Silicon did not inhibit the Acidovorax avenae growth in vitro. Total proteins and superoxide dismutase isoforms were induced by Si whereas activity of peroxidade, ascorbate peroxidase, quitinase, β-1,3 glucanase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were not changed by silicon.