Inducing resistance of cucumber plants to diseases by using plant growth regulators

Abstract

Goal. To investigate the influence of plant growth regulators (PGR) and microfertilizer as plant resistance inducers for reducing the development of cucumber diseases in film greenhouses. Methods. Field and laboratory. Results. Analysis of the activity of total peroxidase showed a positive dynamics of activation of this enzyme - an increase of 1,2 – 2,2 times, which is 14,3 – 54,6%. It was the highest in the version with the use of Epin extra and salicylic acid. For the third day after plant treatment, the enzyme activity increased to 74.7-75.1 mg-ekv/g·s, Due to increased plant resistance, a decrease in the level of infestation of cucumber plants is noted. Depending on the drugs, the intensity of development of root rot in the average years of research was kept within 12.3-17.7 % at 30.5 % in the control. The smallest development of root rot was observed after application of microfertilizer CompleMet – 12.3 %. Treatment of plants by growth regulators led to a decrease in the level of damage of cucumber by downy mildew. The smallest development of the disease was noted in variants with Vimpel Maxi, Epin extra and CompleMet – 8.5% at 13.7% in control. Conclusions. The tendency to increase the level of activity of peroxidase in cucumber plants after treatment with plant growth regulators is revealed, which indicates an increase in the activity of one of the key non-specific protective reactions and, consequently, unspecific plant resistance. The effectiveness of PGR on the basis of humic acids, biologically active substances and microfertilizer CompleMet as an inducer of plant resistance to diseases has been established. The most effective against root rot is microfertilizer CompleMet – 60 % among growth regulators: Vimpel Maxi, salicylic acid, Epin extra (biological efficiency – 56, 55, 52 % respectively). Influence from the action of PGR against downy mildewis observed at the initial stages of disease development. A noticeable effect is observed when applying Epin extra, Vimpel Maxi and CompleMet (biological efficiency – 38%).