Antifungal effects of some plant protection products (AQ10, NeemAzal, NemGuard and Proguard) against phytopathogen fungi

In this study, antifungal effects of some plant protection products (AQ10, NeemAzal, NemGuard and Proguard) against soil-borne fungi (Fusarium culmorum, F. nivale, F. solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) and bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) were investigated. NeemAzal, NemGuard and Proguard were used against all tested fungi in in vitro experiments while all products were used against U. appendiculatus in in vivo experiments. In in vitro experiments, the highest antifungal effect against mycelial growth of tested fungi was shown by Proguard followed by NemGuard. In contrast, NeemAzal was found to have little or no efficacy. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values ranged from 1-5 % for Proguard and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values ranged from 2-5 % for NemGuard. NemGuard, followed by Proguard, showed the highest antifungal effect against spore germination and germ tube elongation of tested fungi. NeemAzal was not effective against Fusarium spp., but it was found to be effective against U. appendiculatus. Proguard and NemGuard had the highest antifungal effect in corn meal-sand culture, respectively. However, NeemAzal was found to be ineffective. In pot experiments conducted under controlled conditions, AQ10 and Proguard reduced pustules caused by U. appendiculatus by 100 % at 0,5 %. In addition, NeemAzal and NemGuard reduced pustules of U. appendiculatus by 95,4 and 94,1 % at 5 %, respectively. Proguard showed phytotoxic effect on bean leaves at 2 %. In conclusion, all tested plant protection products except for NeemAzal are potential candidates for control of soil-borne fungi, while NeemAzal was as effective as other products in controlling bean rust.