Effect of organic and inorganic salts on the growth and development of Fusarium sambucinum, a causal agent of potato dry rot

Abstract

Potato dry rot, caused by Fusarium sambucinum, is a major postharvest disease of economic significance worldwide. Postharvest application of thiabendazole to control dry rot is becoming less effective since many strains of F. sambucinum have become resistant to this fungicide. Thus, alternative control strategies are needed. In vitro studies showed that several salts (0.2 M) inhibited completely mycelial growth and spore germination of F. sambucinum. Among these salts, sodium benzoate, sodium metabisulfite, potassium sorbate, trisodium phosphate and aluminium salts were fungitoxic. In vivo studies showed that aluminium chloride in curative application and sodium metabisulfite, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate in preventive application significantly reduced the development of dry rot in potato tuber. Results from this study demonstrate that selected salts can be used to control potato dry rot.