Innovative tool for the non-destructive measurements on leaves of living plants

The Downy mildew infection caused by the fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis is a threat for the cantaloupe plant that leads to significant losses in melons crop. 

In order to tackle said problem, the Egyptian scientist Mohamed Effat Khalil carried out a study “Efficiency of Using Some Biological Organisms as Biological Catalysts to Reduce the Incidence of Cantaloupe Downy Mildew Disease Under Greenhouse Conditions” which was published this year in American Journal of Life Sciences. 

During the study, five biofilters, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens, were tested in combination with the fungicide Ridomil gold plus 71.5 WP. Tests were held in both greenhouse and lab conditions.

The tests were featuring the CI-202 Portable Laser Leaf Area Meter by CID Bio-Science, a tool that measures virtually all kinds of leaves, needles, or seeds, and which is equipped with advanced laser technology that provides researchers with a precise and convenient way to measure leaf area

The lab results showed that using the biofilters, along with the recommended fungicide, reduced germination of the fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis. The results of the greenhouse showed a decrease in the severity of the disease compared to controls. Among the controls, the most significant decrease in disease severity was achieved by the fungicide, followed by B. subtilis, B. megaterium, T. viride, P. fluorescens, and T. harzianum.

Cantaloupe plants given the fungicide + biofilters treatment showed a significant progress in growth parameters, such as the total chlorophyll content, number of leaves, and leaf area. There was also an increase in yield parameters compared to control plants, such as the number of fruits and fruit weight per plant and the activity of defense-related enzymes like polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and total phenol content.

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