Exogenous application of a Burkholderia sp. and jasmonic acid at the postharvest stage for management of anthracnose in dessert banana (Musa acuminata)

Abstract

AbstractThe present study was conducted to determine the potential of controlling natural (latent) and wound infections of anthracnose using a biological control agent (Burkholderia sp. [BS]) and jasmonic acid (JA). Exogenous application of BS (1 × 108 cfu/mL) and JA (0.2 mM) reduced both types of anthracnose in banana cultivars Kolikuttu and Seenikesel within a range of 67.6%–100%. Due to BS and JA treatments, three selected defence genes (β‐1,3‐glucanase, PR‐1 and chitinase) were up‐regulated in the fruit peels of the two banana cultivars over a period of 144 h after treatment (HAT), indicating the ability to induce host plant resistance by the two treatments. BS treatment resulted in a 1.5‐ to 2.5‐fold increase of the above gene transcripts under natural infection in both cultivars. The findings revealed that induction of the three selected defence genes varies depending on the type of the treatment and infection. JA‐treated fruits with natural infections showed a 1‐day delay of ripening and resulted in the lowest ripening indices till 6th day after treatment in comparison to the BS‐ and untreated banana. BS and JA concentrations used in the study, significantly reduced mycelial growth and spore production of C. musae. Lowering of the ripening index, reduction of mycelial growth and spore production of the fungal pathogen and increased expression of the three selected defence genes by BS and JA treatments reduced the disease progression and lesion development of anthracnose in the two banana cultivars under natural and wound infections of C. musae.