Controle alternativo da antracnose em frutos de mamoeiro e qualidade pós-colheita

Abstract

Among the post-harvest diseases in papaya fruits (Carica papaya L.), anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is one of the most important. The use of natural products for management has been an effective alternative to prolong sanity and post-harvest fruit. This disease has caused losses, and considerable damage to the economy, lack of appropriate measures, and disease management in fruits in most planting. Thus, the study had as objective to evaluate the influence of plant extract Momordica charantia, the resistance inducer Acibenzolar-S-methyl and, chemical fungicide for rot control caused by C. gloesporioides and its influence on postharvest quality of papaya fruits. In vitro tests were conducted by inoculating a disc of fungal colony in the center of Petri dishes containing PDA medium added extract of M. charantia at levels of 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm, acibenzolar-S-methyl, fungicide (Mancozeb) at the dosage recommended by the manufacturer and distilled water (control). Healthy papaya fruits of soil group, with commercial maturity were washed and sprayed with the respective treatments. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and five replicates, being each replicate represented by two Petri dishes. It was evaluated the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides daily by measuring the same in two diametrically opposite directions for five days and disease severity through disease index. The influence of treatments on post-harvest characteristics was evaluated by measuring pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and firmness. It was observed that the treatment with M. charantia are-the highest concentrations showed higher inhibitory effects on pathogen growth in vitro. In postharvest results showed no significant difference in the evaluation of pH in fruit. The extract of M. charantia had positive influence in reducing the weight loss of the fruit while treatment with acibenzolar-S-methyl showed less mass loss.