1. Introduction
Grapevine is one of the most important crops worldwide, in relation to the production of both wine and table grapes. Several pests and diseases may affect the grapevine. Thus, an intensive pesticide schedule is often required to meet production standards [
1]. The grape powdery mildew disease, caused by the fungal pathogen
Erysiphe necator (syn.
Uncinula necator) (Schw.) Burr., is one of the most important and destructive disease in vineyards worldwide. In wine grapes, cluster infection before or shortly after bloom may result in poor fruit set, considerable crop loss, and decrease in wine quality [
2]. Disease management relies mainly on using multiple sprays per season of protectant and systemic fungicides, with 6–8 applications during years with favorable epidemic conditions [
1,
3]. Among the widely employed fungicides against grapevine powdery mildew are the strobilurins, quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs), demethylation inhibitors (DMIs), succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), and sulfur [
3,
4,
5]. However, the development of fungicide-resistant strains of powdery mildew pathogens has been reported for 40 years [
6]. Strains of
E. necator with reduced sensitivity to QoIs, DMIs, and even the relatively new fungicide metrafenone have been reported worldwide in vineyards [
7,
8,
9]. Because resistant strains survive for long periods, the risk of reinforcing a resistant population by re-application of ineffective fungicides is very high [
10]. Therefore, alternative measures are urgently needed to combat powdery mildew in the vineyards. Reduced pesticide levels in food crops, concern for a healthy environment, and, often, the unavailability of commercially acceptable resistant cultivars emphasizes the need for alternative disease control methods. One such method is the foliar application of fertilizers that serve as ‘biocompatible’ fungicides [
11,
12]. Such fertilizers may also serve as a partial alternative for soil fertilization, avoiding some of the negative effects to the environment of leaching nutrients to the groundwater [
13]. Foliar fertilizers have some advantages compared with soil-applied fertilizers. These include uptake by the leaves and rapid translocation to other organs, as demonstrated in grape seedlings [
14]. Fertilizers are applied to foliage at optimum timing and concentrations according to the crop’s needs at different growth stages, as demonstrated with potassium in grapes [
15]. The mixing of macro and micronutrients exploits synergistic effects between different nutrients, as shown in several field crops [
16].
Previous studies demonstrated that foliar application of potassium silicate reduced powdery mildew on grape leaves [
17]. Reuveni and co-workers showed that the foliar application of phosphate salts controlled powdery mildew in cucumber, roses, mango, apple, nectarine, and grapes [
13,
18,
19]. The efficacy of the foliar application of micronutrients, such as Mn, Zn, B, and Si, against plant pathogens, including powdery mildews, has also been demonstrated [
20,
21,
22]. However, the efficacy of the combinations of macro and micronutrients was rarely examined.
Secondary metabolites are important players in plant defense response. Studies have reported on the relationship between grape metabolic profile and resistance to pathogens [
23,
24]. Changes in metabolic profiles were induced in grapes by its pathogens,
Plasmopara viticola [
25] or
E. necator [
26]. Several studies reported effects of soil fertilization on the berry metabolic profile and wine composition [
27,
28,
29,
30]. The effect of the foliar application of nitrogen on grape berry quality was also reported [
31,
32,
33]. However, limited information is available on the effect of the foliar application of potassium, phosphorus, or micronutrient mixture on the grape berry metabolic profile, and no data are available on the relationships between these nutrients, metabolic effects, and grape powdery mildew infection.
Using foliar fertilizers against pathogens may also affect the quality of the grapes and thus be important to the wine industry. Only limited data are available on such effects. Foliar treatments with biostimulants, hormones, or nitrogen compounds in vineyards were reported to modify grape and wine composition [
32,
33,
34,
35].
The present study was undertaken to: (a) evaluate the efficacy of foliar sprays of mixtures of macro and micronutrients in controlling powdery mildew in field-grown grapevines in comparison with recommended fungicides; and (b) investigate the modes of action of such nutrients on conidial germination and disease development in grape seedlings and berry metabolomics in the field.
3. Discussion
The need to prevent the negative impact of synthetic pesticides on human health and the environment stimulated the search for innovative tools and methods for sustainable pest management [
1]. In the present study, we demonstrate that the simple compound Top KP+, which contains Potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P), or Top KP+ combined with ready mixtures of micronutrients (Zinc (Zn), Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Molybdenum (Mo)) were highly effective as synthetic fungicides in controlling powdery mildew on foliage and fruits of field-grown susceptible grapevines.
The literature teaches that the use of inorganic salts for fungal disease control is a well-known concept in crop protection. Early reports date back to Prévost (1807) [
67], who applied copper sulphate (CuSO
4) against the bunt of wheat caused by
Tilletia caries [
68]. Bordeaux mixture, made of CuSO
4 and Ca(OH)
2, is one of the earliest fungicides used for disease control worldwide [
69]. Sodium bicarbonate effectively controlled powdery mildew in various crops [
11,
12,
70]. Silicon in combination with potassium and phosphorus reduced powdery mildew severity in cucurbits [
71]. Foliar sprays of phosphates were effective against powdery mildews in trees, including mango and nectarine [
19], apple [
13], and wine grapes [
17,
19,
72]. The effects of combinations of macro and micronutrients was reported in several studies. Oprica et al. [
73] reported that the foliar application of a mixture of N, P, K, Fe, Cu, and Mn enhanced nutrient content in leaves and seeds of maize and sunflower, and increased yield by 50% compared to the basal application of NPK alone. Younis et al. [
74] showed that the combination of macro and micronutrients improved the yield and quality of roses, compared to macronutrients alone. Awan et al. [
75] demonstrated the synergistic effect of zinc with other nutrients in managing early blight in tomato. However, the effect of combining macro and micronutrients on grape powdery mildew was never reported. Here, we show that (i) foliar applications of macro-nutrients were effective in controlling grape powdery mildew, and (ii) foliar applications of the mixture of macro-nutrients with micronutrients were more effective compared to their single application.
In order to reduce the buildup of fungicide resistance, it is recommended to use fungicide mixtures or fungicide alternations [
76]. The integration of multi-site fungicides [
76] or fertilizers into the management program may further reduce the buildup of resistance. We demonstrate here that the integration of Top KP+ plus TruPhos or Nanovatz in the spraying program, in alternation with systemic fungicides, was as effective as systemic fungicides all along the season. Furthermore, applying those nutrients in a tank mixture with a fungicide improved disease control.
Foliar applications of B and Zn to maintain adequate micronutrient concentrations and to prevent inhibition of reproductive growth is a common vineyard management practice [
77,
78]. Our results showed that integrating nutrient mixtures in alternation with fungicides, or in mixtures with fungicides in the spray program against grape powdery mildew, improved disease control. The fact that in most experiments TruPhos (which contain more micronutrients than Nanovatz) was as effective as Nanovatz may indicate that the most essential elements for disease control are Zn and B.
Fungicides are combined in mixtures to expand their spectrum of activity, to prolong their persistence, and to improve disease control by exploiting synergistic interactions between their components [
79,
80]. Synergy, which frequently occurs between fungicides in mixtures, may involve antifungal compounds of differing natures and sources, differing or identical modes of action, or differing formulations [
79]. The enhanced protection induced by Top KP+ plus, TruPhos, and Nanovatz when mixed with the sterol inhibitor fungicide Folicur (tebuconazole) compared to Folicur alone indicates a synergistic interaction between the fertilizers and the fungicide. Further research is required to confirm this.
Mineral nutrition may affect plant resistance or susceptibility to disease [
81]. In general, P and K tend to improve plant health, while in most cases, N increases plant susceptibility to disease [
13]. Top KP+ and TruPhos used in this study were chosen because they contain mainly P and K with low N content. Microelements may also play an important role in plant health by affecting their susceptibility to pathogens [
82]. Mechanisms leading to such nutrient-induced changes in disease resistance/susceptibility are complex and include direct effects of mineral nutrients on the pathogen, on plant resistance mechanisms, and on plant growth and development [
83]. The effect of macro and micronutrients used in this study on plant growth was not tested, but the high efficacy of the nutrient mixtures against grape powdery mildew in the field further calls to study the effects of the nutrients on vine growth, productivity, and quality.
The modes of activity of foliar-applied nutrients in controlling fungal diseases have been reported by Reuveni et al. [
20,
84]. They demonstrated prophylactic control activity of phosphate salts against
Sphaerotheca fuliginea in cucumbers and
Leveillula taurica in peppers, and curative activity in cucumbers when applied onto existing mildew colonies [
18]. Phosphonic acid (H
3PO
3) reduced the incidence of grape downy mildew and the level of sporulation of
Plasmopara viticola when applied after infection [
85].
However, the exact mode of action of foliar-applied macro and micronutrients in controlling
E. necator on grapevines has not been yet clearly elucidated. The present study demonstrates that foliar nutrient sprays exhibit both prophylactic and curative activity against
E. necator in potted grape plants. While the surfactant alone showed very limited inhibition of conidial germination in vitro, and macronutrients alone (Top KP+) exhibited partial inhibition, macro plus micronutrient mixtures further inhibited conidial germination. They caused disruption and shrinkage of hyphae, conidiophores, and conidia. Such deformations probably result from the osmotic effect of the salts, which disrupt the membrane integrity of fungal cells, causing plasmolysis and leakage of cell content [
18]. Besides their direct toxicity to fungal structures, nutrient mixtures may also induce local and systemic resistance in grapevines against
E. necator, as was demonstrated by phosphate salts and micronutrients in cucumber plants infected by
Sphaerotheca fuliginea, and maize plants effected by
Puccinia sorghi or
Exserohilum turcicum [
20,
86,
87,
88].
Nutrients treatment did not improve nor damage the oenological parameters Brix and pH. This is in line with the work of Reuveni and Reuveni [
89]. Foliar applications of micro and macronutrients slightly increased berry weight, but not significantly as reported by Reuveni and Reuveni [
89], who showed an increase in the weight of grape clusters treated with phosphate.
Comparing the metabolites profiles of severely infected untreated berries to that of relatively healthy berries sprayed with macro and micronutrients or a fungicide showed a significantly upregulated production of several metabolites in the treated berries. Riesling berries treated with nutrients or fungicide produced significantly higher amounts of the dipeptides Leu-Arg, dihydroxy-phenylalanine, Boc-Ser-OH, Boc-Gln-OH, and L-gamma-glutamyl-L-leucine compared to untreated berries. Numerous compounds that confer resistance to fungal pathogens were identified in plants, among them proteins and peptides with anti-microbial activity [
36,
37]. Anti-microbial peptides, or host defense peptides, are important components of innate immune systems [
38]. The higher amount of dipeptides in berries treated with nutrients or fungicide may be related to the suppression of the pathogen by these antibiotic metabolites. Dipeptides have also been reported to impart a range of tastes, including umami and sweetness, and have previously been detected in wines, considered a positive contribution to wine quality [
40,
41]. The contribution of dipeptides to the antioxidant stability of wines has also been hypothesized [
39]. It seems that the high content of dipeptides in berries treated with nutrients or fungicide has an added value to wine quality, besides their disease control aspect. Berries treated with nutrients or fungicide also contained a higher amount of pheophorbide A. Pheophorbide is a plant-derived chlorophyll metabolite associated with several bioactivities (i.e., antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunostimulatory, anti-parasitic) [
42,
43]. Treated cv. Carignan berries also produced more flavonols known for their antioxidant activity [
55,
56]. Antioxidant compounds are believed to be responsible for the health effects of moderate wine consumption because they can quench free radicals, and therefore minimize oxidative stress damage [
90]. Two additional metabolites, 6-tuliposide B and Nocardicin, were upregulated in treated berries as well. They are known for their potent antimicrobial activity [
44,
45,
47]. Further, 6-tuliposide B also showed an antifungal inhibitory effect against
Pythium ultimum,
Rhizoctonia solani, and
Fusarium spp. [
46].
The two metabolites, cis-resveratrol (stilbenoid) and Catechin 3-O-gallate (flavan-3-ol), were significantly upregulated in the severely mildew infected berries of the control untreated grapes. Grape stilbenes are phytoalexins produced by the plant in response to abiotic and biotic stresses, including fungal infection [
91,
92]. Resveratrol is a well-known bioactive stilbene [
93]. Romero-Pérez et al. [
94] showed that the content of trans-resveratrol was considerably increased in grape berries infected with powdery mildew, and the degree of infection was positively related to their stilbene content. Naturally mildew-infected grape berries and leaves exhibited an increase in cis-resveratrol and catechin [
26,
95].
Treated cv. Carignan berries contained more organic compounds such as indoles. Dohgo et al. [
50] reported on the inhibitory effect of indole on the haustorial formation of barley powdery mildew. Indole primes defense signaling and increases herbivore resistance in tea plants [
51]. It may also be related to defense signaling against mildew attack in grapes. The content of sphingoid bases was also upregulated in treated berries. Sphingoids exhibited antifungal effects against
Fusarium oxysporum in watermelon [
52] and induces systemic acquired resistance against
Phytophthora parasitica var.
nicotianae [
53]. The phytohormone Abscisic acid, a regulator in plant biotic defense responses [
57,
58], was also upregulated. The role of these antifungal metabolites against grape powdery mildew should be further examined.
A possible indirect mode of activity of the fertilizers derived from changes in berry metabolic profile was demonstrated by comparing the metabolites composition of relatively healthy grapes treated with the fungicide Folicur (tebuconazole) with those treated with the macro and micronutrients. Results revealed several metabolites that were significantly upregulated in grapes of cv. Riesling treated with the fertilizers. Macro and micronutrient sprays enhanced the production of antifungal compounds, such as the non-protein amino acid L-homoarginine. L-homoarginine is an alkaline phosphatase inhibitor that interrupts phosphorus metabolism in fungal hyphae [
59]. It inhibited the growth of
Torulopsis utilis and
Neurospora crassa [
60,
61,
96]. Simola and Lonnrothl [
62] showed that the amino acid composition of a plant influences the growth of parasitic fungi and that some of the non-protein amino acids such as homoarginine may protect the plant against infection. The effect of fungicide or alternative treatments against grape downy mildew (caused by
Plasmopara viticola) on grape amino acids was also reported [
97]. Further molecular and biological studies are needed to shed light on the mechanism of action of these metabolites and their activities. In addition, the effect of foliar fertilizers application on the berries’ skin microbiome and its relation to berries metabolomics should be further investigated.
Two carbohydrates, 2-Deoxy-2-(methacryloylamino)-D-glucopyranose and the ester 6-O-Acetyl-D-glucose, were upregulated following nutrient treatment. Carbohydrates exert important biochemical functions (energy supply, molecular recognition processes, structural roles, cell-surface functions) and are precursors of various molecules, particularly bioactive compounds, such as oligosaccharides, glycol-conjugates, and nucleosides [
63].
Macro and micronutrient treatment also significantly upregulated three organic acids. Organic acids play an important role in determining wine quality, and their organoleptic properties affect wine tests. Their salts also act as buffers, thus ensuring that the wine maintains a relatively low pH to protect it against bacterial attack and subsequent spoilage. These acids also help conserve wine color and influence esterification with a consequent impact on the bouquet [
65]. The taste profile of wine accounts for several orosensory qualities, e.g., sourness, sweetness, bitterness, and astringency. Some of the perceived sourness in wine was imparted by the upregulated organic acids D-galacturonic acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid [
66]. Nutrient sprays did not significantly enhance the content of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, flavanols, and stilbenes, in grape tissues following macro or micronutrient applications.
Macro and micronutrient sprays enhanced the production of antifungal and antioxidant metabolites more than fungicide sprays. Since these compounds are also involved in induced resistance against pathogens, the remarkable increase in these metabolites compared with untreated or fungicide-treated berries suggests a possible indirect activity against powdery mildew and the direct inhibiting effect of the nutrients on the pathogen. Micronutrients, such as zinc and copper, are known to be involved in enzyme activities that play a role in plant induce resistance, such as polyphenol oxidase activity [
98] and superoxide production [
99]. This, together with the additive advantage to wine quality, should encourage integrating nutrient sprays in disease management programs.
In summary, our field and laboratory trials showed that foliar sprays of fertilizer mixtures consisting of macro (here Top KP+) and micronutrients (mainly containing Zn and B) are highly effective, like fungicides, in controlling powdery mildew on both leaves and fruit clusters of grapevines. Possible mechanisms responsible for fertilizers’ efficacy include the preventive inhibition of infection and colonization of the leaves and berries with powdery mildew due to the inhibition of conidia germination, plasmolysis of fungal mycelia and conidia, and upregulated production of antifungal compounds that might induce systemic resistance. The rapid absorption of fertilizers by the plant tissues, their mobility within tissues, low animal toxicity, environmental safety, and nutritional value make them suitable for disease control. The combination of the fungicide Folicur with the fertilizers improved efficacy compared to Folicur alone. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs that combine nutrients and fungicides at proper timing may suppress disease and reduce the buildup of fungicide resistance. They will also protect berries against disease and alter their metabolic profile to improve wine quality.