ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST Erysiphe necator IN VINE CULTIVATION UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS IN THE ICA-PERU REGION

Abstract

Background. Grape cultivation in Peru is one of the most important fruit activities, and ensuring its safety is essential to keep a successful production. Objectives. The study was focused on implementing a clean technology using plant extracts from Larrea tridentata and Reynoutria sachalinensis to control Erysiphe necator “oidium” in the Italian vine variety under field conditions. Methodology. Two treatments were carried out in parallel. The first treatment consisted in the use of two plant extracts and the second treatment in the exclusive use of chemical products. Applications in both treatments were applied once a week, from the phenological stage of flowering to the maturing and beginning of ripening of the berries. Recorded variables were incidence and severity of powdery mildew on leaves and clusters, total soluble solids, pH, acidity, and yield. Results. The treatment with the use of vegetable extracts showed an average control of the phytopathogen of 74% in the leaves and 88% in clusters. Implications. The cultivation of grapes in Ica is traditional and represents the area with the highest production in Peru, however, the production systems are monoculture with high dependence on chemical phytosanitary inputs that have economic, environmental and social effects for the sustainability of this agroecosystem. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that these two extracts have potential for use in the integrated managemed of Erysiphe necator, being environmentaly safer. To ensure its effectiveness, proper management of the plant canopy and a correct application in the field should be considered.