This experiment aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of potassium (K) phosphite and calcium (Ca) + borum (B) phosphite to control rot during cold storage of ‘Fuji’ apples. Four equidistant lesions were made in the central region of the fruits, measuring 5mm wide and 3mm deep. After the treatments, fruits were submerged for 20 seconds in a spore suspension, except for the last treatment, in wich the immersion lasted one hour. The treatments were as follow: 1. control (water); 2. fungicide Iprodione (75g 100L-1); 3. CaCl2 (2%); 4. potassium phosphite (250mL 100L-1) plus CaCl2 (2%); 5. potassium phosphite (250mL 100L-1); 6. Ca + B phosphite (300mL 100L-1); and 7. potassium phosphite (250mL 100L-1) in spore suspension for one hour. Fruits were refrigerated at 0°C during 14 days and evaluated at removal from cold room and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 days at 20°C. Fruits treated with potassium phosphite (250mL 100L-1) combined with CaCl2 (2%) had less decay and smallest lesion diammeter. These results were similar to those obtained with the fungicide Iprodione. Potassium phosphite alone was not as effective as in combination with CaCl2, and Ca + B phosphite was not effective to control apple rot.
Malus domestica Borkh.; leaf fertilizers; Penicillium spp
