Effect of ergosterol biosynthesis the tea plant and inhibitors on blister blight disease, the tea plant and quality of made tea

The effect of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibiting (EBI) fungicides on blister blight disease, biometric and physiological parameters of tea plant and the quality of made tea was studied. EBIs expressed antisporulant action, reduced the size of spores and their viability, inhibited spore germination and provided satisfactory control of the disease. Continual use of EBIs increased shoot length and dry weight of shoots. They also increased epicuticular wax content, leaf thickness, size of vascular bundle, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis, but reduced stomatal size. Made tea manufactured from EBIs-treated shoots showed an overall improvement in quality. Various mechanisms involved are discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.