Botrytis cinerea is a phytopathogenic fungus that causes gray mold, a major postharvest disease of fruits and vegetables. Chemical fungicides remain the main
solution to control Botrytis disease, but concerns have raised about their safety to environment and human health, and there is an increasing need for development of more effective and less toxic treatments. In this study the divalent
cation chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (
EDTA) exhibited marked antifungal activity against B. cinerea, including inhibition of spore germination, mycelial growth,
infection cushion formation, stimulation of cell death, and impairment of fungal virulence. These adverse effects of
EDTA could be reversed by the addition of
calcium ion, implying that
metal ion chelation is involved in the fungicidal mechanism. Bean leaf and tomato fruit protection assay indicated that
EDTA treatment led to a significant reduction of
infection by B. cinerea. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of
EDTA was significantly enhanced when used in combination with
fenhexamid. These findings suggest that
EDTA could be a promising tool to control B. cinerea, and application of
EDTA may reduce the use of conventional chemical fungicides.