A Novel Approach for Fungal Control with Ethyl Formate in Barley and Its Impact on Germination

Eman Barkat, Xin Du (), Jun-Ran Kim, Zhengyan Wang, Byung-Ho Lee, Abrar Uaraboa, Esra Uaraboa and Bong-Su Kim ()
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Eman Barkat: Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Xin Du: Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Jun-Ran Kim: Department of Plant Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
Zhengyan Wang: School of College of Environmental and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Byung-Ho Lee: Institute of Agricultural and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
Abrar Uaraboa: School of Biomedical, Science, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Esra Uaraboa: School of Pharmacy, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Bong-Su Kim: Department of Plant Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Fungi can degrade grain quality, produce harmful mycotoxins, and hinder germination in the post-harvest stage, resulting in significant economic losses. Ethyl formate (EF) is an efficient and eco-friendly fumigant for controlling pest insects in grains, horticulture, and quarantine treatments. However, there is a lack of research on the antifungal activity of EF and its degradation products on barley seeds. In this study, fifteen fungal species, predominantly Alternaria infectoria , were isolated and identified from seven Australian barley samples. Efficacy results indicated that EF significantly inhibited fungal growth at a commercial concentration of 2.4 mmol/L, except for Penicillium sp. 2, Fusarium chlamydosporum , and Rhizopus arrhizus . To control these EF-tolerant fungal species, the EF concentration was increased to 5 mmol/L, which achieved a 100% inhibition rate. The degradation product of EF, formic acid, effectively inhibited all EF-tolerant fungi, requiring only 0.08 mmol/L in the in vitro study. There were no significant differences in vigor and germination rates in barley treated with EF at concentrations of 2.5, 3.7, and 5 mmol/L. Additionally, EF treatments led to a significant increase in the barley root length from an average of 9.1 cm in the control group to 13.2, 13. 6, and 12.3 cm at 2.5, 3.7, and 5 mmol/L. The findings suggest that EF could be a suitable alternative fumigant to safeguard grain from fungal infestation, particularly in the context of advancing agricultural practices and improving seed germination quality. The degradation compound, formic acid, may contribute significantly to the overall antifungal function of ethyl formate fumigation, particularly in high-humidity environments.

Keywords: ethyl formate; antifungal activity; degradation product; formic acid; barley; germination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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