Soluble silicon (Si) as potential treatment of post harvest decay caused by Fusarium proliferatum
Fusarium proliferatum is one of the common causal agents for pre-harvest and post-harvest diseases of plants. This study examined the effectiveness of applying soluble silicon as an alternative treatment in controlling post-harvest disease. In vitro assay was performed by applying poison plate tec...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2017
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/12380/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/12380/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/12380/1/46_03_28.pdf |
| Summary: | Fusarium proliferatum is one of the common causal agents for pre-harvest and post-harvest diseases of plants. This study
examined the effectiveness of applying soluble silicon as an alternative treatment in controlling post-harvest disease. In vitro
assay was performed by applying poison plate technique with three different Si concentrations; 1.5% Si (v/v), 2.5% Si (v/v)
and 3.5% Si (v/v) whereas for in vivo assay, F. proliferatum was inoculated into mature and healthy produce. The cucumber
and aubergine were selected for in vivo assay and stored at 27-28°C for 8 days after treatment to assess disease severity.
Results showed that Si significantly inhibited mycelial growth of F. proliferatum in vitro and the 3.5% (v/v) of Si was more
effective than 1.5% (v/v) and 2.5 (v/v) as it showed a greater percent inhibition of radial growth. Therefore, 3.5% Si (v/v)
was chosen for in vivo assay. The soluble Si demonstrated a lower disease severity on both, cucumber and aubergine. However,
F. proliferatum is less severe on cucumber (15% decaying) than aubergine (33% decaying). This suggests that the Si may
inhibit the germination of fungal spores and the elongation of their germ tubes. There is a potential role of soluble silicon as a
decay-control product and could help reduce wastage especially fruit in storage. |
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