Abstract
The present research aimed at producing a biopesticide with proper formulation of invert emulsion (water-in-oil type) and effective strain of Trichoderma harzianum then, testing it against pathogens of postharvest mold infections(Botrytis cinerea & Penicillium expansum) on fresh fruits of apple and pear. The proper formulation of invert emulsion (IE#3) used for biopesticide production has the following ingredients (100% w/w): soybean oil (28.50%), coconut oil (19.50%), oil-soluble emulsifier: Tween 20 (2.0%), glycerine (4.25%), water-soluble emulsifier: dehymuls k (0.75%), sterile distilled water (22.5%) and conidial suspension of the effective strain ofT. harzianum “TrichoPAL1” in water (22.5%, concentration 1 × 107 conidia/ml). Testing efficacy of the produced biopesticide has indicated a significant reduction in the disease lesion diameter of mold infections on wounded apple and pear fruits stored at 20℃ ± 1℃ compared to the untreated fruits or control (reduction from up to 38.75 to about 7.50 mm, respectively, according to the type of mold infections and fruit type). Also, the treatment with the produced biopesticide has resulted in a long protection period from mold infections on wounded and un-wounded fresh fruits of apple and pear stored under controlled and semi-commercial conditions(up to 2.5 months according to the type of mold infections and fruit type). In conclusion, the overall results have demonstrated the effectiveness of produced biopesticide on stored fruits under controlled and semi-commercial conditions therefore, it is recommended to test this effectiveness on marketed fruits stored under variable conditions before applying it at a large scale.
Highlights
The control of postharvest mold infections on fresh fruits is usually done by the conventional use of synthetic fungicides [1] [2]
The following postharvest mold infections of fruits were studied in the present research: Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea and Blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum
The most effective strain of T. harzianum obtained by screening in the above section was introduced into the selected formulation of invert emulsion characterized by the highest stability and lowest viscosity
Summary
The control of postharvest mold infections on fresh fruits is usually done by the conventional use of synthetic fungicides [1] [2]. Regarding the group of interesting biocontrol agents that can be involved in the integrated management strategies, the antagonistic fungi are considered the most promising agents because they are currently being developed as a novel approach for the control of many plant diseases [7] These fungi suffer from the following disadvantages: i) their initial or acute biocontrol potential is much slower in comparison with chemical fungicides; ii) they need high humidity for conidial germination and subsequent development and sporulation; iii) they are susceptible to UV irradiation; and iv) some targeted plant diseases may develop defence mechanisms against the fungal attack. Mixing of the two phases after introduction of the conidial suspension of the antagonistic fungus was done as indicated in the previous section to ensure the homogeneity of the emulsion
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