Epidemiologia e controle com radiação gama de doenças pós-colheita do mamão

Abstract

Papaya rot resulting from fungal infections causes high post-harvest losses. The influence of temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 oC) and wetting period (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h) in the incidence and severity of post-harvest rot in papaya caused by Alteraria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium verticillioides, Geotrichum candidum and Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and their influence on physicochemical characteristics . The temperature significantly influenced the incidence and severity of rot. There was a higher incidence and severity in fruits incubated in the range of 25 to 35 ºC. The temperature in the range of 5 to 10 ºC did not allow the development of A. alternata, C. herbarum, C. gloeosporioides and L. theobromae. Analyzes of pH, titratable total acidity (TTA) and total soluble solid (TSS) showed no significant differences when compared to the control. A second experiment was carried out to verify the possibility of control through the use of gamma radiation (0, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.8, 2.4 And 2.8 kGy), with Cobalt 60 as a source. The parameters evaluated were: comic growth, sporulation, pathogenicity of fungi after irradiation and the physicochemical characteristics of papaya. For C. herbarum and F. verticillioides a decrease in mycelial growth occurred as the doses were increased. However, C. gloeosporioides and L. theobromae at doses of 0.6 to 1.4 kGy and G. candidum at doses of 1.4 to 2.2 kGy were more efficient in reducing the mycelial growth of these fungi. However, all the doses used stimulated the mycelial growth of A. alternata. The results demonstrated that in general, as the doses increased, there was a reduction in the number of conidia. Regarding the effect of radiation on the pathogenicity of fungal species, only L. theobromae at the doses tested, did not lose pathogenicity in relation to the other fungi. The physico-chemical characteristics of the fruits subjected to radiation did not compromise the commercialization and consumption 'in natura'.