PROTECTION OF GROWING CROPS FROM PATHOGENS BY TREATMENT WITH ENZYMES

摘要

A method is disclosed for protecting a growing crop from pathogens comprising applying to the growing crop and to any pathogen present thereon a compound capable of generating an active oligomer elicitor in the crop or the pathogen. The compound is applied with a penetrating agent which aids in the entry of the compound into the cuticle layer of the growing crop or the pathogen. The elicitor is generated in the crop or the pathogen in an amount effective to elicit production in the crop of an anti-pathogenic agent. When the elicitor is generated in a pathogen present on the harvested crop, the elicitor is generated in sufficient amount to transfer into the crop, which transfer may be aided by the presence of said penetrating agent, in order to produce the desired phytoalexins in the harvested crop. Also disclosed is a composition comprising the above compound and a penetrating agent for the compound as well as a growing crop treated with the above composition.