Effects of Plant Defence Activators on Anthracnose Disease of Cashew

The plant defence activators acibenzolar-S-methyl (Benzo[1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester, ASM), 2,6-dichloro-isonicotinic acid (DCINA), salicylic acid (SA), and dibasic potassium phosphate (K₂HPO₄) were tested for their ability to protect cashew (Anacardium occidentale) seeds and leaves from anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. No inhibition of the early stages of pathogen development was caused by concentrations equal to or lower than 1.1mM a.i. ASM, 1.2mM a.i. DCINA, 5mM SA and 50mM K₂HPO₄. Maximum reduction of the disease in detached leaves, without phytotoxic effects, was obtained with 0.07mM a.i. ASM and DCINA, 5mM SA, and 50mM K₂HPO₄, with a time interval of at least 72h between application of the activator and inoculation with the pathogen. On attached leaves, foliar sprays were slightly more efficient than soil drench treatments, with 5mM SA being the most effective treatment, while 50mM SA as well as 0.3mM a.i. ASM and DCINA caused phytotoxic effects. In field-grown plants, protection was conferred by a soil drench of concentrations as low as 12.6M a.i. ASM and DCINA and 2.6mM SA. These concentrations were not phytotoxic suggesting that plant defence activators have potential for control of anthracnose disease in the field.