Determination of antifungal effects of boron products against fungal disease agents causing rots in carrots

In this study, antifungal effects of boron products were investigated against Geotrichum candidum, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, Fusarium avenaceum which cause postharvest rots in carrots. For boric acid, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 %; for borax, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 %; for borax 0,1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0%; for borik acid + borax mixture 0.05+0.1, 0.1+0.2, 0.2+04, 0.3+0.6, 0.4+0.8, 0.5+1.0% concentrations were used. Mycelial and conidia germination decreased linearly with increasing concentrations of the chemicals used. Boric acid and borax at different doses completely inhibited the mycelial growth of G. candidum and F. solani, while A. alternata and F. avenaceum were not completely inhibited. When both components were used as a mixture, they showed activity against G. candidum and F. solani at the relatively lower doses, but activity against F. avenaceum and A. alternata were lowest. Boric acid and borax at different concentrations completely inhibited spore germination of fungal agents apart from A. alternata. Boron products and mixtures significantly reduced the mycelial weights developed in liquid culture. In semi in vivo conditions, boron products were found to be more effective against F. solani, either singly or in mixtures, than their therapeutic properties. The results obtained showed that boron products are promising applications against soil-borne diseases that are problematic in carrots.