| Popis: |
To control blue mold of apples caused by Penicillium expansum after harvest and during commercial cold storage, microwave exposure was investigated as a p hysical measure and compared with the use of calciu m chloride and the systemic fungicide, carbendazime. Microwave exposure of Golden Delicious and Royal Gala apples at 2450 Mhz for 10, 30 and 45s was effe ctive as 4% CaCl 2 and carbendazime on significantly reducing the disease incidence %. Calcium chloride was more effective at 8% than 4% or at 1% and was as effective as carbendazime in reducing the mold seve rity and incidence. Microwave exposure for 10, 30 a nd 45s was as effective as 8% CaCl 2 and carbendazime on controlling blue mold caused b y P. expansum stored under the conditions of commercial cold storage. Di fferent apple cultivars have different degrees of susceptibility to the blue mold. Granny Smith and R ed Delicious were relatively more tolerant than Gol den Delicious, Starking or Royal Gala. However, sight v ariations were found in their responses to differen t treatments. Therefore, 10-45s microwave exposure of apple fruits before cold storage alone or in a combination with other methods can be an environmental safe physical alternative to chemical fungicide s for controlling P. expansum infections during cold storage. |
