Preventive and post-infection control ofBotrytis cinereain tomato plants by hexanoic acid

The antifungal activity of hexanoic acid on the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea was studied. This chemical inhibited both spore germination and mycelial growth in vitro in a concentration- and pH-dependent manner, and stopped spore germination at a very early stage, preventing germ-tube development. The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) for in vitro spore germination was 16 m m . Hexanoic acid also inhibited in vitro mycelial growth of germinated spores at an MFC of 12 m m . Studies performed to characterize the mechanisms underlying the antimicrobial effect of hexanoic acid showed that it alters fungal membrane permeability. In addition, hexanoic acid treatment increased the levels of …