Some fungicides known to be effective in vitro against Erwinia amylovora,the first bacterium proved to be a pathogen of plants,turn out to be wholly ineffective against Fire blight in orchards. What we’re learning is that many anticyptogamics, or anti-fungus agents, are not necessarily fungicides — they interfere, in one way or another, with the biochemical relationship between the fungus and host, most likely in some “indirect” manner. The aim is not to destroy the parasite (or in this case, bacteria), but rather to prevent it from attacking or multiplying.
The first of two key points that I’m trying to make here, based on the work of Francis Chaboussou and something that I’ve raised in previous newsletters, is that this process of applying chemical fungicides impacts the metabolism of the plant and its ability to synthesize protein. These fungicides/inhibitors of protein synthesis actually render crops susceptible to various parasites, including viruses and bacterial diseases.
The toxicity of chemical pesticides (this includes fungicides) greatly reduces the plant’s metabolism, which leads to less protein synthesis, more susceptibility to disease and the loss of growing days during the recovery period after each spraying.
My second key point is that to an overwhelming degree, chemical pesticides are synthesized from nitrogen and also chlorinated. This explains why they interfere with certain micronutrients, such as copper and boron. Another theme that I’ve been addressing in my previous newsletters is that small micronutrient deficiencies have large consequences.
We know about the importance of boron, and it’s greatly impacted by nitrogen, the pesticides’ basis. We also know that the K/Ca ratio is fundamental to good plant health. Calcium is key to promoting the assimilation of other micronutrients, and boron is known to keep calcium in soluble form or in a form that it can be taken up by the plant. Boron, meanwhile, is only active in combination with magnesium, manganese and molybdenum (the 3 M’s). So the unavailability of a single micronutrient can have a far-reaching impact as the whole thing starts to snowball in the worst possible way.
What to do? These are my recommendations:
Thyme Guard, an organic, EPA exempt fungicide, insecticide, bactericide and virucide. This product is an excellent fungicide and has none of the negative attributes pointed out above. In addition, the plant’s metabolism isn’t negatively impacted; in fact, quite the opposite: there is usually a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) response that activates the natural defense responses of the plant. Pathogens can’t build resistance to it.
CropBioLife a flavonoid product, has natural fungicidal properties. As a secondary metabolite it enhances disease resistance, fruit color and flavor. It is a complementary addition to any crop program as it acts as synergist of other materials, producing a multiplier effect.
Ecotech Microbial Foliar Fertilizer (Agrostim, Agroprime, Supergrow, etc.), complex structured foliar fertilizer that includes broad micronutrients and trace elements. In grapevines with boron deficiency, for instance, using foliar sprays with a micronutrient base has led, in two years, to an increase in the ratio of B/Zn from 11 to 47 along with the disappearance of the phenomenon of failure to set fruit.
It’s conceivable that chemical treatments counteract varietal resistance. In contrast, broad-based nutritional applications can only be advantageous.