Postharvest quality and brown rot incidence in plums treated with Ascophyllum nodosum extract

Abstract

The use of extracts of algae in agriculture has been growing because of their benefits to plant development and production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on the postharvest quality of 'Irati' and 'Reubennel' plums and on the incidence of brown rot. The treatments consisted of concentrations of 0,0.1,0.2,0.3 and 0.4 mL L-1 of a commercial product containing algae extract (Algamare®) that were applied to the fruits by immersion. The fruits were then stored for 15 (cv. Irati) or 30 days (cv. Reubennel) at 2.5 °C and 90% RH and for two additional days at ambient conditions for further physicochemical analysis. A batch of 'Reubennel' plums was inoculated with Monilinia fructicola and kept for seven days in a cold room and an additional nine days at room temperature to evaluate the occurrence of brown rot. The postharvest application of the extract at a concentration of 0.4 mL L-1 altered some of the physicochemical characteristics of the fruit after storage; an increase in the total phenolic compound content and PG activity were observed in 'Irati' plums. Reubennel fruits had higher titratable acidity, a lower TSS/TA ratio, lower pulp firmness and higher PME activity. The most significant effect was observed with the application of A. nodosum extract at 0.4 mL L-1, which significantly reduced the incidence and severity of brown rot in the inoculated fruits and had a similar control effect as the application of the fungicide iprodione.