The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of the chitosan on the development in vitro plantlets of grapevines cv. Merlot and its antifungal action on Elsinoe ampelina. In the first trial, explants of the grapevine cv. Merlot were transferred to growing medium DSD1 plus concentrations of 0; 25; 50; 100; 150 and 200 mg L-1 of the product. After 90 days of in vitro cultivation the plantlets were evaluated for root and leaf number, root and shoot length and fresh mass of roots and shoots. In the second experiment, doses of 0; 60; 120; 180; 240 and 300 mg L-1 were incorporated to the BDA media, where the fungus was inoculated. The mycelial diameter was evaluated at 6 and 9 days after incubation at 25° C in the dark. In the first experiment, for the variables shoot length average, plant fresh mass, rooting percentage and sprouted cuttings there was a linear reduction in function of chitosan doses. In the second trial, there was a negative linear effect with mycelial growth inhibition, of 81.7%, showing great the potential of chitosan in the control of grapevine anthracnose.
Grape; Vitis vinifera L.; grapevine anthracnose; agroecology; phytopathology
