Ihara advances in finding fungicide to combat the witches’ broom

<p>Obtaining an effective fungicide to combat the disease of witches' broom in cocoa cultivation is closer to becoming reality.<br /> <br /> Researchers at Unicamp, in partnership with Ihara Industry, assess chemical molecules capable of dribbling the fungus. Thus it appears that the viability of the product and all tests are made, it must be commercially produced.<br /> <br /> The witches' broom is a major cause of poor performance of cacao in Bahia, the largest national producer of almonds. (See Context) Bahia has already invested about $10 million in research about the fungus that causes Moniliophthora pernicious disease.<br /> <br /> Since March this year, several fungicides were tested. One of them - estrobirulina - had no effect on phase called 'biotrophic', when the fungus infects plants. But after the discovery of the effectiveness of a molecule called &quot;Sham&quot; capable of inhibiting the activity of the fungus in its two phases, Unicamp test molecules with stable characteristics now sent by Ihara for application in place of Sham.<br /> <br /> This molecule inhibited 100% the performance of the fungus, and other tropical fungi, but being a drug used in the laboratory is not stable to go into the field.<br /> <br /> The patent has been applied for this experience. Research on the fungus began in 2000, when it was formed a network of researchers led by professor of the Laboratory of Genomic Expression and Unicamp, Gon&ccedil;alo Pereira Guimar&atilde;es.</p> <p>In 2005 he discovered the fundamental mechanism of the disease and, in 2007, made the first of a series of sequencing the DNA of the fungus.<br /> <br /> This organism not only attacks the fruit, but also prevents the plant produces. It is complex and no existing fungicide is effective in its control. When he enters the plant, symptoms do not appear.</p> <p>The plan recognizes that became infected and tries to defend sending inhibitors for respiration of the fungus, which would cause his death. But the fungus creates an alternative path and survives. Thus, the plant is intoxicated, sends nutrients to the fungus in an attempt to bring them back during their fight against agent.</p> <p>If displayed on the market, this would be the first fungicide developed in Brazil as Rodrigo Naime Salvador, manager of product engineering Ihara. He says the products are usually created in other countries and adapted to tropical regions, although this still needs to be 'mixed' with another substance already on the market.<br /> <br /> The risk of not reaching an efficient product or run into problems as the high cost of the product still exists, but is small, says Salvador.<br /> <br /> Field tests have not been done, but by the end of the year should be established to study the interaction of the molecules. It will also need a battery of tests in the environmental and toxicological areas to reach the final product.<br /> <br /> Once approved by the competent authorities, the product goes to the market. But this whole process can take six to eight years, Salvador warns. Only the registry may require four years, although it may ask an emergency, which would reduce this period of four for a year and a half.<br /> <br /> <span style="color: #666666"><strong>Context</strong><br /> <br /> More than twenty years after arriving in Bahia, the fungus of witches' broom is still considered a major cause of low crop productivity. All cocoa trees in the State of Bahia are badly infected, although not appear to be sick. 'The plant spends too much energy to stay healthy and tries to attack the fungus, which causes loss of production', says Professor at Unicamp, Gon&ccedil;alo Pereira.<br /> <br /> Over time, plants have acquired a certain resistance and today record losses in productivity between 20 and 30 arrobas per hectare, in contrast to the initial sudden drop down to zero productivity, compared to 100 arrobas per hectare, said Pereira. The fungus only attacks growing branches, which then dries and look like the branches of a broom. Despite being endemic in the Amazon, his entry into Bahia was a major reason for the decline of culture in the country.<br /> </span><br /> <em>Source: Journal Economic Value</em></p>