Abstract
Stored citrus fruit suffer huge losses because of the development of green mould caused by Penicillium digitatum. Usually synthetic fungicides are employed to control this disease, but their use is facing some obstacles, such public concern about possible adverse effects on human and environmental health and the development of resistant pathogen populations. In the present study quercetin, scopoletin and scoparone—phenolic compounds present in several agricultural commodities and associated with response to stresses—were firstly tested in vitro against P. digitatum and then applied in vivo on oranges cv. Navelina. Fruits were wound-treated (100 µg), pathogen-inoculated, stored and surveyed for disease incidence and severity. Although only a minor (≤13%) control effect on P. digitatum growth was recorded in vitro, the in vivo trial results were encouraging. In fact, on phenolic-treated oranges, symptoms appeared at 6 days post-inoculation (DPI), i.e., with a 2 day-delay as compared to the untreated control. Moreover, at 8 DPI, quercetin, scopoletin, and scoparone significantly reduced disease incidence and severity by 69%–40% and 85%–70%, respectively, as compared to the control. At 14 DPI, scoparone was the most active molecule. Based on the results, these compounds might represent an interesting alternative to synthetic fungicides.
Highlights
Penicillium digitatum [Pers.: Fr.] Sacc. is the causal agent of green mould, one of the most common postharvest diseases of citrus fruit
In a previous study [15], we tested the efficacy of several phenolic compounds including quercetin, scopoletin and scoparone against Penicillium expansum, causal agent of the blue mould of apple, and the production of its mycotoxin patulin
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate in vivo the activity of the phenolic compounds quercetin, scopoletin and scoparone against green mould on “Navelina” oranges
Summary
Penicillium digitatum [Pers.: Fr.] Sacc. is the causal agent of green mould, one of the most common postharvest diseases of citrus fruit. Is the causal agent of green mould, one of the most common postharvest diseases of citrus fruit. Handling and storage under ambient conditions favours its growth During this stage, green mould reaches 60%–80% of decay caused by Penicillium genera [2]. In a previous study [15], we tested the efficacy of several phenolic compounds including quercetin, scopoletin and scoparone against Penicillium expansum, causal agent of the blue mould of apple, and the production of its mycotoxin patulin. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate in vivo the activity of the phenolic compounds quercetin, scopoletin and scoparone against green mould on “Navelina” oranges. The putative control effect on P. digitatum growth was tested by in vitro trials
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call