Powdery mildew protection with Armurox: an improved strategy for silicon application

Powdery mildew diseases cause severe losses in a wide variety of crop plants, for which no polyvalent fungicide measuresare available for every disease situation. In addition, alternative treatments for plant disease protection have recently raised moreinterest due to restrictions and environmental concerns regarding the use of pesticides worldwide. This study was aimed at verify anew technology for integrated disease management strategies to protect crops against pathogenic fungi. Armurox®, a formulation ofspecific peptide compounds with soluble silicon (Si), acts as an active barrier in preventing haustorial penetration and stimulatingplant defense mechanisms when the pathogen appears. This mode of action was tested on different plant pathosystems and its fieldeffectiveness evaluated on several fruit and horticultural crops, compared with most used chemical treatments. The peptidebiocompatible coformulant promotes greater Si foliar uptake in comparison with mineral silicate, as can be concluded from leaf Sideposition analysis, which in turns enhances plant resistance to fungi attack.