Protection methods

- During cultivation

As soon as the first symptoms of appear anthracnose , it is advisable, above all, to reduce the humidity , to provide shelter by ventilating as much as possible and to avoid irrigation by sprinkling, especially in the evening. It is preferable that workers work in the affected plots when the plants are dry.

Of fungicides can be made in countries where it is allowed, particularly if favorable humid conditions persist. As soon as the climatic conditions become drier again, the activity of Microdochium panattonianum is strongly reduced and the treatments can be spaced out.

In France, chemical control is made difficult because no fungicide is approved for this use.

It is imperative to eliminate plant debris during and at the end of cultivation, given their essential role in the conservation of this mycosis. It will also be important to carry out a deep plowing in order to bury the few remaining debris, this to promote their decomposition.


- Next crop

It will be essential to consider a crop rotation of at least one year; several years are preferable.

In the case of cultivation under cover, surface disinfection of the walls may be considered with a disinfectant. The floor will have to undergo a similar treatment. For this, we can use a fumigant, steam or spread a fungicide on the soil before planting. Poorly drained plots must be worked in order to eliminate this defect. Wild lettuce ( should be disposed of Lactuca serriola ) in the crop environment.

The fungicide treatments will be effective only if they are made preventively and before any significant rain or irrigation.

Do not handle the plants or work in the crops as long as the salads are wet. The first infected plants will be removed and destroyed quickly, as well as old leaves with spots.

The production seeds of salad in hot and dry production areas, unfavorable to the fungus, makes it possible to obtain seeds free of the latter.

The wild species Lactuca saligna is resistant to Microdochium panattonianum . This resistance is not presently present in cultivated French varieties. However, there are differences in sensitivity between cultivars. For example, romaine and head lettuce would be less sensitive. Australian studies report that Lactuca serriola , chicory and endive would be immune to Microdochium panattonianum under their experimental conditions. There seem to be differences in the results between the experimenters in the literature. They could be due to the plant material tested or to different pathotypes from one country to another. Indeed, 5 pathotypes have been described in California.


NB: The legislation on pesticides evolving very quickly, we advise you to consult the e-phy site of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries which is an online catalog of plant protection products and their uses, fertilizers and culture media approved in France . This also applies to all biological products based on microorganisms or natural substances.