Algicidal effect of 3-(3-indolyl)butanoic acid, a control agent of the bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum

The chemical control agent 3-(3-indolyl)butanoic acid, previously reported as a control agent for the bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, was shown to suppress the growth of green algae during hydroponic culture o f tomato. The algicidal activity of the compound was effective at 10 mug/ml , completely preventing generation of green algae under non-shaded greenhou se conditions. The algicidal effect was mainly due to suppression of the gr owth of motile unicellular algal cells tentatively identified as Chlamydomo nas spp., which are commonly occurring in the hydroponic solution and vigor ously multiply to form an algal mat on the sponge supports. The compound ha s potential as a non-phytotoxic algicide for hydroponically cultured crop p lants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.