The Use of Natural Products in Cereal Production

Elicitors can fall into either category and aim to incite the natural plant defence system. Elicitors work by simulating a pathogen attack which causes the plant to release sugars which results in the defence mechanism starting. There are various elicitors being looked at including Saccharine, which has been found to induce resistance in barley to rhynchosporium and Chitosan, which is an acetylated compound based on Chitin which is part of fungal cells walls. These have now been found to have anti-fungal properties, therefore, will need to go through the PPP registration process which could hinder development. Other products being looked at are salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, benzothiadiazole, benzoic acid and there is increasing interest in seaweed based products.  

Using elicitors offers the potential to reduce the use of PPP and reduce costs. Independent SRUC trials have found using ¼ dose fungicide with an elicitor shows a yield response compared with using a 1/2 rate fungicide and the results are not significantly behind the full rate fungicide yields. Responses have been found with experimental products as well. There is potential to use an elicitor to help reduce your costs, which is beneficial to IPM strategy.