Fungicidal Effect of Slightly Acidic Hypochlorous Water against Phytopathogenic Fungi

Slightly acidic hypochlorous water is well known for having a powerful and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, and is harmless to the environment and humans. SAHW was generated by electrolysis of dilute solution of Hl in a chamber of a non-memberance electrolytic cell. Our objective was to determine SAHW has potential fungicidal activity on some phytopathogenic fungi. Spores of botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum and Phytophthora capsici were not culturable on agar media at approximately 10 seceonds after treatment by SAHQ.however, inactivation of Penicillium hirsutum was required over 3 min . dilution of SAHW with sterilzed distilled water at the ratio of 1;1 against C. acutatum showed 100% inactivation but, the efficacy in 1:2 decreased until 63.2%.Control value of SAHW was 70.4% against C. acutatum on pepper fruits when applied upto 24h postinoculation. SAHW has a powerful and wide spectrum antifungal activity and could be applied as a potential alternative to fungicidal agent for control of plant disease.