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Urban and country living

Plant extracts against fungi.

Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher

Researchers are looking for plant substances that could replace the harmful copper in the fight against various plant diseases.

(Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)
(Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)

For more than 100 years, copper has been used as an effective antifungal treatment on grape vines, apples and potatoes. While copper effectively stops fungal spores from germinating, it is toxic at higher concentrations and accumulates in soil and groundwater. This is why alternatives to copper are needed.

Organic farming, in particular, has to move away from using copper if it is to remain credible. In the search for much-needed alternatives, researchers at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Basel have joined forces with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick, testing various plant-derived substances that could replace the harmful heavy metal in the treatment of downy mildew on vines, apple scab, and powdery mildew on potatoes.

  • Collection: In a forest in Central America, long sticks are used to collect leaves from a deciduous tree (Image: Alex Espinosa, CIFLORPAN, Panama).
    Collection: In a forest in Central America, long sticks are used to collect leaves from a deciduous tree (Image: Alex Espinosa, CIFLORPAN, Panama).link.zoom
  • Storage: Extracts are taken from the plants collected worldwide. A library containing more than 3,000 plant extracts is stored at a temperature of minus 80°C in the basement of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel. Lab assistant Orlando Fertig removes a box from the library. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)
    Storage: Extracts are taken from the plants collected worldwide. A library containing more than 3,000 plant extracts is stored at a temperature of minus 80°C in the basement of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel. Lab assistant Orlando Fertig removes a box from the library. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)link.zoom
  • Investigation: The active constituents are investigated at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Doctoral researchers Ming Yuan Heng and Justine Ramseyer study the molecular structure by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)
    Investigation: The active constituents are investigated at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Doctoral researchers Ming Yuan Heng and Justine Ramseyer study the molecular structure by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)link.zoom
  • Testing: The effect of the extracts and their active constituents are tested on seedlings (left). Examination Dr. Barbara Thürig of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick examines the seedlings in the greenhouse. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)
    Testing: The effect of the extracts and their active constituents are tested on seedlings (left). Examination Dr. Barbara Thürig of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick examines the seedlings in the greenhouse. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)link.zoom
  • Testing: The effect of the extracts and their active constituents are tested on seedlings (left). Examination Dr. Barbara Thürig of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick examines the seedlings in the greenhouse. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)
    Testing: The effect of the extracts and their active constituents are tested on seedlings (left). Examination Dr. Barbara Thürig of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick examines the seedlings in the greenhouse. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)link.zoom
  • Quality control: Dr. Olivier Potterat and lab assistant Orlando Fertig carrying out quality control checks on the plant product. The leaves are then extracted in large quantities for further testing in field conditions. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)
    Quality control: Dr. Olivier Potterat and lab assistant Orlando Fertig carrying out quality control checks on the plant product. The leaves are then extracted in large quantities for further testing in field conditions. (Image: University of Basel, Christian Flierl)link.zoom

More than 2,500 different plant extracts were tested for efficacy in preventing fungal growth. Their active constituents were characterized using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, and selected plant extracts applied to seedlings under controlled lab conditions, and later tested in the field. The researchers are optimistic: A number of the extracts proved effective and the respective active constituents were successfully identified. Two extracts yielded particularly promising results in field tests.

More articles in the current issue of UNI NOVA.

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