Control of bacterial leaf spot of yellow passion fruit using the abiotic resistance inducer, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), and the biotic agents, harpin protein and glycoproteins extracted from two Xanthomonas species, was evaluated. The inducers were applied by spraying the leaves 72 h before the inoculation with Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae. The inducers were also applied by seed immersion and the inoculation was performed when the seedlings had four true leaves. The results showed that ASM conferred a protection up to 70% at the concentration of 12.5 µg a.i. mL-1, while harpin led to an increase in bacterial symptoms. The glycoproteins from Xanthomonas spp. conferred up to 72% protection in plants against the bacterium. ASM or harpin provided up to 90% and 47% protection, respectively, in yellow passion fruit seedlings raised from treated seeds. Thus, leaf treatment with ASM or the glycoproteins from Xanthomonas spp. and seed treatment with ASM or harpin are potent inducers of resistance in passion fruit plants against X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae.
Passiflora edulis; acibenzolar-S-methyl; glycoproteins; harpin protein; plant resistance inducers; seed treatment
