Alternative control of postharvest diseases and physicochemical characterization of guavas

Abstract

A major problem in the commercialization of guavas is the incidence of postharvest diseases, which coincides with the ripening of fruits. However guava usually does not receive treatment to reduce postharvest fruit decay, once detailed information is needed about alternative control of major diseases. This project aims to evaluate the effect of alternative products and thermotherapy, singly and in combination, in the control of postharvest diseases and the physicochemical characteristics of fruits of guavas 'Pedro Sato' e 'Kumagai'. Initially, in 'Pedro Sato' guavas in stage 2 of maturity will be assessed the effect of postharvest treatments with calcium chloride, phosphite K, 1-methylcyclopropene, cassava starch, ethanol followed by sodium hypochlorite, and thermotherapy, during eight days of storage of fruits at 22ºC. Then the three products that prove to be more effective in reducing the occurrence of rots will be used in combination of two treatments. The three combinations of treatments that provide a greater reduction in the incidence of major diseases in fruits, will be selected and evaluated for the natural incidence of postharvest diseases on fruits of the cultivar 'Pedro Sato' and 'Kumagai', harvested at three stages of maturity (1, 2 and 3) and stored for eight days at 22ºC and 21 days at 8ºC + three days at 22ºC.(AU)