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Effect of chitosan solution on the inhibition of Acidovorax citrulli causing bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon
Author(s) -
Li Bin,
Shi Yu,
Shan Changlin,
Zhou Qing,
Ibrahim Muhammad,
Wang Yanli,
Wu Guoxing,
Li Hongye,
Xie Guanlin,
Sun Guochang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.5812
Subject(s) - chitosan , horticulture , incubation , perlite , antibacterial activity , pathogen , food science , chemistry , biology , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , genetics
BACKGROUND: The production of watermelon in China has been seriously hampered by fruit blotch disease and limited control measures are now applied. Chitosan has been employed to control a variety of plant diseases and is considered to be the most promising biochemical to control this disease. RESULTS: The in vitro antibacterial effect of chitosan and its ability in protection of watermelon seedlings from bacterial fruit blotch were evaluated. Results showed that three types of chitosan, in particular, chitosan A at 0.40 mg mL −1 significantly inhibited the growth of Acidovorax citrulli . The antibacterial activity of chitosan A was affected by chitosan concentration and incubation time. The direct antibacterial activity of chitosan may be attributed to membrane lysis evidenced by transmission electron microscopic observation. The disease index of watermelon seedlings planted in soil and the death rate of seedlings planted in perlite were significantly reduced by chitosan A at 0.40 mg mL −1 compared to the pathogen control. Fresh and dry weight of watermelon seedlings planted in soil was increased by chitosan seed treatment, but not by chitosan leaf spraying. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that chitosan solution may have a potential in controlling bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry