Waheed , A. Q. (1), Dewan H. M. (2), Abdulla , M. I. (3)
General Background: Grey mold caused by Botrytis cinerea severely constrains tomato production in greenhouse and field systems worldwide.Specific Background: Chemical fungicides often fail due to the pathogen’s genetic plasticity, prompting exploration of alternative resistance inducers such as salicylic acid (SA).Knowledge Gap: Limited data exist regarding concentration-dependent responses of SA against B. cinerea under combined laboratory and greenhouse conditions.Aim: This study evaluated six SA concentrations (0–10 mM) for their ability to suppress fungal growth and reduce lesion development on tomato leaves.Results: Concentrations of 8 and 10 mM completely inhibited mycelial growth and biomass production (0.0 mg; 100% inhibition) in vitro. Under greenhouse conditions, the same concentrations reduced lesion area to 0.0 mm at 24, 48, and 72 hours compared with the untreated control. Lower concentrations produced partial suppression in a dose-dependent manner.Novelty: The findings demonstrate a clear concentration threshold at 8 mM SA for complete fungal suppression across experimental systems.Implications: SA presents a promising eco-compatible strategy for grey mold management and may serve as a complementary tool within integrated disease control programs.
8–10 mM SA achieved complete fungal growth suppression.
Biomass dry weight reduced to 0.0 mg under optimal concentration.
Greenhouse lesion development eliminated at threshold dose.
Keywords: Salicylic Acid, Botrytis Cinerea, Tomato, Grey Mold, Induced Resistance
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