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Delayed incidence of stem-end rot and enhanced defences in Aureobasidium pullulans-treated avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit

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Abstract

The stem-end rot of avocado, caused predominantly by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, can result in heavy postharvest losses. Application of a cell suspension of Aureobasidium pullulans at the stem-end of unripe fruit delayed (P < 0.05) disease incidence by 2 days compared to controls which had either stalk intact or not. Presence of stalk reduced the progression of symptoms in both treated and control fruits, but did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect disease incidence. L. theobromae, when cultured together with A. pullulans, showed significantly (P < 0.05) reduced radial growth of colony towards A. pullulans at 48 and 72 h and shortened aerial mycelium compared to controls. Neither of the organisms overgrew on each other but their colony margins were in close proximity. Presence of A. pullulans significantly (P < 0.001) reduced germination of conidia in water, and the germ tubes were shorter and showed only emergence. Chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and antifungal activity of the peel of control fruit declined during ripening. However, there was increased chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activity in A. pullulans-treated fruits or fruits that were inoculated with L. theobromae after treatment with A. pullulans. β-1,3-glucanase activity increased only slightly in fruits that were inoculated with L. theobromae without treatment. Greater preformed antifungal activity was retained in A. pullulans-treated fruits during ripening. Enhanced activity of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase and greater retention of preformed antifungal activity may have contributed to the delayed stem-end rot incidence in A. pullulans-treated avocados. Application of A. pullulans, 2 days prior to inoculation and retention of stalk at harvest, appears to have allowed better establishment of A. pullulans on the fruit surface.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka

    Y. D. S. Madhupani & N. K. B. Adikaram

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  1. Y. D. S. Madhupani
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Correspondence to N. K. B. Adikaram.

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Madhupani, Y.D.S., Adikaram, N.K.B. Delayed incidence of stem-end rot and enhanced defences in Aureobasidium pullulans-treated avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit. J Plant Dis Prot 124, 227–234 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-017-0086-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-017-0086-8

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