Application of ethanolic propolis extract in soybean diseases

Abstract

The application of fungicides is the main management of soybean diseases, but due to the environmental appeal and the emergence of resistant fungi, there is a need for studies with alternative products. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of ethanolic propolis extract (EPE) on the management of fungal diseases, on growth, reduction of water stress and soybean yield. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (DBC), with five replications in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme. The first factor was four EPE doses: 0, 106, 212, 318 g of crude propolis ha^‑1 and the second with two levels: without and with the sequential application of fungicides (two applications of fungicides trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole and one of mancozeb). The foliar application of EEP reduced the severity of the target spot with the greatest efficacy at the concentration of 212 g ha^‑1. Water content and vegetative growth increase with the application of EEP. The application of fungicide management increases the yield of soybean grains by 12%. The application of EEP increases soybean productivity by up to 23%, due to the reduction of the target spot severity and increase in the water content in the plant tissues.