Postharvest Diseases of Pomegranate: Alternative Control Means and a Spiderweb Effect
-
Published:2023-07-30
Issue:8
Volume:9
Page:808
-
ISSN:2309-608X
-
Container-title:Journal of Fungi
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:JoF
Author:
Mincuzzi Annamaria1ORCID, Picciotti Ugo12ORCID, Sanzani Simona Marianna1, Garganese Francesca1ORCID, Palou Lluís3ORCID, Addante Rocco1, Ragni Marco1ORCID, Ippolito Antonio1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy 2. Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain 3. Pathology Laboratory, Postharvest Technology Center (CTP), Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research (IVIA), CV-315, Km 10.7, Montcada, 46113 Valencia, Spain
Abstract
The pomegranate is a fruit known since ancient times for its beneficial properties. It has recently aroused great interest in the industry and among consumers, leading to a significant increase in demand. Consequently, its cultivation has been boosted all over the world. The pomegranate crop suffers considerable yield losses, especially at the postharvest stage, because it is a “minor crop” with few permitted control means. To control latent (Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Coniella spp., Colletotrichum spp., and Cytospora spp.) and wound (Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Talaromyces spp.) fungal pathogens, different alternative compounds, previously evaluated in vitro, were tested in the field on pomegranate cv. Wonderful. A chitosan solution, a plant protein hydrolysate, and a red seaweed extract were compared with a chemical control treatment, all as preharvest (field application) and postharvest treatments and their combinations. At the end of the storage period, the incidence of stamen infections and external and internal rots, and the severity of internal decay were evaluated. Obtained data revealed that pre- and postharvest application of all substances reduced the epiphytic population on stamens. Preharvest applications of seaweed extract and plant hydrolysate were the most effective treatments to reduce the severity of internal pomegranate decays. Furthermore, the influence of spider (Cheiracanthium mildei) cocoons on the fruit calyx as a possible barrier against postharvest fungal pathogens was assessed in a ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate organic orchard. Compared to no-cocoon fruit (control), the incidence of infected stamens and internal molds in those with spiderwebs was reduced by about 30%, and the mean severity of internal rots was halved. Spiderwebs analyzed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) disclosed a layered, unordered structure that did not allow for the passage of fungal spores due to its mean mesh size (1 to 20 µm ca). The aims of this research were (i) to evaluate alternative compounds useful to control postharvest pomegranate decays and (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of spiders in reducing postharvest fungal infections by analyzing related mechanisms of action. Alternative control means proposed in the present work and calyx spider colonization may be helpful to reduce postharvest pomegranate diseases, yield losses, and waste production in an integrated control strategy, satisfying organic agriculture and the planned goals of Zero Hunger Challenge launched by the United Nations.
Funder
project StopMedWaste, “Innovative Sustainable technologies to extend the shelf-life of Perishable Mediterranean fresh fruit, vegetables, and aromatic plants and to reduce WASTE,” Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area project Euphresco Basics “Basic substances as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides for plant protection”
Subject
Plant Science,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics,Microbiology (medical)
Reference54 articles.
1. Liong, M.T. (2015). Beneficial Microorganisms in Food and Nutraceuticals, Springer. Microbiology Monographs. 2. Current understanding of modes of action of multicomponent bioactive phytochemicals: Potential for nutraceuticals and antimicrobials;Wink;Annu. Rev. Food Sci. Technol.,2022 3. Brighenti, V., Iseppi, R., Pinzi, L., Mincuzzi, A., Ippolito, A., Messi, P., Sanzani, S.M., Rastelli, G., and Pellati, F. (2021). Antifungal Activity and DNA Topoisomerase Inhibition of Hydrolysable Tannins from Punica granatum L.. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22. 4. Yang, X., Niu, Z., Wang, X., Lu, X., Sun, J., Carpena, M., Prieto, M.A., Simal-Gandara, J., Xiao, J., and Liu, C. (2022). The Nutritional and Bioactive Components, Potential Health Function and Comprehensive Utilization of Pomegranate: A Review. Food Rev. Int., 1–27. 5. Caruso, A., Barbarossa, A., Tassone, A., Ceramella, J., Carocci, A., Catalano, A., Basile, G., Fazio, A., Iacopetta, D., and Franchini, C. (2020). Pomegranate: Nutraceutical with promising benefits on human health. Appl. Sci., 10.
|
|