Effects of Blue Light on Mildew Growth in Cucurbita Pepo

Overview

Cucurbita pepo, known as the zucchini plant, is susceptible to fungal infections including downy and powdery mildew. Fungicides carry a large risk of toxicity and harm to crops and other exposed organisms. Environmentally friendlier options, such as blue light therapy, are being studied as alternatives. This study aimed to add to the current literature by investigating blue light as an antifungal treatment. It was predicted that blue light treatment would show similar results to fungicide treatment. Zucchini plants were divided into three groups: blue light-treated, fungicide-treated, and control, and observed for four weeks to spot fungus. The infected leaves were analyzed using ImageJ Software. Data were analyzed from photographs, and infection percentages were calculated from raw leaf area measurements. Blue light therapy was found to be non-inferior to fungicidal treatment (t-test p-value = 0.1832) and superior to no treatment (p-value = 0.0016). The blue light-treated group had the least infected leaves (3 leaves, 2.128% of the group) and the lowest variance of infection percentages (variance: 0.0015). The effects were consistent, unlike the fungicide-treated group with a higher variance (variance: 0.4888). Blue light therapy significantly reduced mildew infection in zucchini plants, making it a possible alternative to fungicides.

Competition history

• AJAS 2026 Category not listed

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