Aplicação foliar de silício reduz a ocorrência de doenças fúngicas na cultura do morangueiro

Several fungal diseases can occur in strawberry crop, including mycosferela, anthracnose and gray mold. Silicon is a mineral that acts as a fertilizer and agricultural defensive agent. In order to reduce the use of pesticides, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of silicon on the control of the main fungal diseases of strawberry cultivated in the Northern Santa Catarina Plateau. The work was carried out in the experimental area of ​​IFSC - Campus Canoinhas, through treatments that consisted of the application of five different doses of silicon, using Agrisil® (99% Si). Applications were made with different doses of the product, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g (i.e. silicon) / 100L water. Assessments of disease incidence and severity were performed, and doses of 300g and 400g (i.a. silicon) / 100L water provided a reduction in the occurrence of mycosferela and gray mold. Thus, the use of silicon presents itself as an alternative for the control of these diseases, reducing the environmental impacts and the harmful effect to the rural worker.