ISHS Acta Horticulturae 694: International Symposium on Harnessing the Potential of Horticulture in the Asian-Pacific Region
APPLICATION OF INA AND BABA CONTROL PRE AND POSTHARVEST DISEASES OF MELONS THROUGH INDUCTION OF SYSTEMIC ACQUIRED RESISTANCE |
| Authors: | A.I. Bokshi, S.C. Morris, K. McDonald, R.M. McConchie |
| Abstract:
Rockmelon plants grown in the field were treated with  -aminobutyric acid (BABA) or 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA) or water during fruit development and evaluated for their potential to confer increase resistance against plant diseases or postharvest pathogens.
The experiment was conducted at Camden, NSW, Australia.
Growing plants and harvested fruits were assessed for disease symptoms and assayed for the accumulation of chitinase and peroxidase (two major pathogenesis related (PR) proteins induced as a result of systemic resistance). Harvested fruit from both BABA and INA treated plants showed a significant reduction in the severity and incidence of postharvest diseases.
Plants treated with BABA showed less resistance against the diseases, and lower increase in enzyme activity than was the case for INA. A further postharvest dip with guazatine (500 ppm) showed substantial reduction of storage rots of melons.
Preharvest application of INA and BABA reduced the occurrence of powdery mildew on the leaves.
INA had a small phytotoxic effect on plant growth when applied during flowering and 2 weeks after flowering but did not affect total yield or fruit size.
However, early senescence of the plants, yellowing of the leaves and earlier maturation of fruit observed from INA spray.
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