Inhibition of Chitosan and Oligochitosan on Hyphal Growth of Four Species of Brown Rot Fungi

Brown rot is one of the most important diseases on stone and pome fruits ( Prunus spp.) worldwide. Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa, Monilinia fructicola and Monilia polystroma are causal agents of brown rot disease. Inhibition of chitosan and oligochitosan on hyphal growth of four species of brown rot fungi were tested. The EC₅₀ values of chitosan to five isolates ranged from 0.15-0.53mg·ml^-1 and the EC50 values of oligochitosan to 5 isolates ranged from 0.25-4.28mg·ml^-1. The results indicated that both chitosan and oligochitosan could inhibit mycelial growth of Monilinia spp. and chitosan was more effective than oligochitosan.