Synergistic interaction of tea saponin with mancozeb against Pestalotiopsis theae

Tea gray blight, caused by the fungus Pestalotiopsis theae, is one of the most destructive diseases in tea plants. In this study, we evaluated the individual and synergistic antifungal activities of tea saponin (TS) and mancozeb against P. theae, as well as the mechanisms underlying their activity. The results indicated that TS significantly inhibited both the mycelial growth of P. theae, at an EC50 value of 1.03 mg mL−1, and its spore germination, at an EC50 value of 3.68 mg mL−1. TS also significantly enhanced the antifungal activity of mancozeb, and the cotoxicity factor (CTF) assays revealed that there was a synergistic interaction between TP and mancozeb (3:7) against mycelial growth and spore germination, with CTC values exceeding 100. Our results also revealed that TS and mancozeb treatments damaged the cell membranes of P. theae, leading to a significant leakage of soluble protein, reduction of sugar and induction of a significant increase of chitinase activity in the mycelial cells; the combination treatment significantly enhanced the observed damage, leakage and induction. These findings suggested that TS had antifungal activity and a synergistic effect with mancozeb and that the mechanism of this activity might be membrane damage and the consequent cytoplasm leakage.

Graphical abstractTS significantly induced the chitinase activity in mycelial cells (B) and caused chitin hydrolysis, thus led to the increase of cell membrane permeability (A) and the leakage of soluble protein and reducing sugar (C, D). The combination of TS with mancozeb significantly enhanced the inducement. SEM (E) ascertained the result.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► TS exhibited good antifungal activity against Pestalotiopsis theae. ► TS combined with mancozeb (3:7) exhibited a synergistic interaction. ► The mechanism might be due to the membrane damage and protoplasm leakage.