The effect of ph on fungitoxic interactions between a solvent and pesticide

Abstract

The effect of pH on interactions between combinations of the solvent acetone and the pesticide captan was determined using the fungiPythium ultimum, Sclerotinia homeocarpa, andPestalotia sp.. Seven concentrations of the solvent acetone, ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 % (v/v), were interacted with four concentrations of the fungicide captan, ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 ppm (mg L⁻¹). This interaction procedure was repeated at pH 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5, using a temperature of 30 °C. Acetone and captan interacted synergistically towardsP. ultimum andS. homeocarpa, and antagonistically towardsPestalotia sp., regardless of the pH. However, the solvent concentration at which synergism or antagonism was first observed usually decreased as pH increased. The actual pH response obtained was dependent upon both the captan level and culture used. As pH increased from 4.5 to 7.5, the toxicity of captan decreased by up to 40% withS. homeocarpa andPestalotia sp., and 80% withP. ultimum. WithS. homeocarpa andPestalotia sp., the magnitude of synergism or antagonism increased as the captan concentration was raised from 1.0 or 2.5 ppm up to 7.5 or 10.0 ppm. With P. ultimum, the degree of synergism decreased at pH 4.5 and 5.5, but increased at pH 6.5 and 7.5, as the captan concentration was raised from 2.5 to 10.0 ppm. The lowest interaction magnitudes were recorded at pH 4.5 forP. ultimum, but was variable for the other cultures. The greatest interaction magnitudes were obtained at pH 4.5 forS. homeocarpa, 5.5 forPestalotia sp., and 6.5 or 7.5 forP. ultimum.