Induced resistance: a tool for fungicide resistance management

Induced resistance to the apple scab fungus Venturia inaequalis was demonstrated in greenhouse tests with 12-day-old seedlings of the apple cultivar Golden Delicious treated with methyl 2,6-dichloro-isonicotinate or 3,5-dichlorosalicylic acid prior to inoculation with the causal fungus. Studies of the dose-response of flusilazole on induced resistant plants revealed synergistic effects between both crop protection principles. Therefore, the use of such resistance-inducing compounds in the field might allow a reduction in the number of fungicide applications, and possibly a reduction in dose, thus resulting in improved efficacy of fungicides. There was also evidence that induced resistance could prove to be a valid strategy for the treatment of pathogen populations with reduced sensitivity to a given fungicide.