Use of natural products in control of post-harvest anthracnose of avocado hass

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate alternative products, considered natural in postharvest control of anthracnose in avocado 'Hass'. For treatments, will be used chitosan and three essential oils with antifungal activity from plants. In vitro will be performed 4 experiments which will be tested chitosan and the 3 essential oils in 5 concentrations of each product. At this stage the products are added to the culture medium, poured into a petri dish which is placed in the mycelium of the fungus. Be used 6 replicates per treatment. In vivo will be performed 5 experiments where avocados 'Hass' are immersed for 1 minute in three chitosan concentrations and three concentrations of each essential oil associated with commercial wax. After drying and formation of the coatings, the fruits stored at 12 º C and 80 ± 5% RH for 14 days, and for a further 4 days at 25 ° C. Will be evaluated in the experiments in vitro mycelial growth and conidial germination, and in vivo experiments weight loss, peel color and pulp firmness, respiration rate and ethylene production, titratable acidity, soluble solids, rot incidence, polyphenols extractable total peroxidase activity, PPO activity and activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. The results will be submitted to analysis of variance and treatment effect, when significant, will be matched by Test F. Significant differences being the results will be compared using minimum significant difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval. (AU)