Sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on spore germination of three powdery mildew pathogens. Oidium neolycopersici, Erysiphe pisi, and Sphaerotheca pannosa. Data showed that the spore germinations of these pathogens were significantly (p<0.05) suppressed by all three bicarbonates, especially sodium and potassium bicarbonate at 0.5% (w/v). Detached leaf method also was used to evaluate 0.5% (w/v) bicarbonates and 0.03% (w/v) polyelectrolyte (FO4490SH) for control of powdery mildew. The result showed that all treatments except ammonium bicarbonate reduced the infection area of powdery mildew on tomato leaf surfaces, especially sodium and potassium bicarbonate. Three field trials were conducted in central Taiwan to evaluate the applicability of potassium bicarbonate. polyelectrolyte and fungicides for control of tomato, pea and rose powdery mildew. Each trial was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Potassium bicarbonate at 0.5%, and 0.5% potassium bicarbonate plus 0.03% polyelectrolyte were effective in decreasing the disease severity of powdery mildews on all three crops tested. The treatments were as effective as fungicides. The percentages of disease control in all three treatments were more than 80%. The severity of powdery mildew was only slightly reduced by the treatment of polyelectrolyte alone on tomato and pea. Polyelectrolyte did not increase the efficacy of disease control by potassium bicarbonate in this study. Spray with water also slightly reduced the disease severity of powdery mildew on pea in comparison with no water spray. This study showed that 0.5% potassium bicarbonate could he used as an alternative method for control of powdery mildew in the field.
Sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on spore germination of three powdery mildew pathogens. Oidium neolycopersici, Erysiphe pisi, and Sphaerotheca pannosa. Data showed that the spore germinations of these pathogens were significantly (p<0.05) suppressed by all three bicarbonates, especially sodium and potassium bicarbonate at 0.5% (w/v). Detached leaf method also was used to evaluate 0.5% (w/v) bicarbonates and 0.03% (w/v) polyelectrolyte (FO4490SH) for control of powdery mildew. The result showed that all treatments except ammonium bicarbonate reduced the infection area of powdery mildew on tomato leaf surfaces, especially sodium and potassium bicarbonate. Three field trials were conducted in central Taiwan to evaluate the applicability of potassium bicarbonate. polyelectrolyte and fungicides for control of tomato, pea and rose powdery mildew. Each trial was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Potassium bicarbonate at 0.5%, and 0.5% potassium bicarbonate plus 0.03% polyelectrolyte were effective in decreasing the disease severity of powdery mildews on all three crops tested. The treatments were as effective as fungicides. The percentages of disease control in all three treatments were more than 80%. The severity of powdery mildew was only slightly reduced by the treatment of polyelectrolyte alone on tomato and pea. Polyelectrolyte did not increase the efficacy of disease control by potassium bicarbonate in this study. Spray with water also slightly reduced the disease severity of powdery mildew on pea in comparison with no water spray. This study showed that 0.5% potassium bicarbonate could he used as an alternative method for control of powdery mildew in the field.