Disease resistance induction in second-season corn using acibenzolar-S-methyl and phosphorylated mannanoligosaccharide

Resistance induction is an alternative method to reduce pesticide use in plant disease control. We conducted experiments with four corn hybrids over two consecutive years (2011 and 2012) in order to test resistance in second-season corn treated with acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) or phosphorylated mannanoligosaccharide (MOS). In addition, the plants were subjected to a fungicide (azoxystrobin + cyproconazole) or a control treatment using water only. Distinct pathogens were found in the harvests from both years, but the MOS treatment resulted in hypersensitive response during both years. None of the products applied affected plant height, ear insertion height, or damaged kernel percentage. MOS resulted in higher hypersensitive response intensity, without reducing productivity, compared to the water treatment. The application of ASM did not induce a hypersensitive response.