Bacterial fruit blotch, caused by Acidovorax citrulli, is a serious threat to the watermelon crop in Brazil. To date, there are no disease-resistant varieties, thus requiring research seeking sources of resistance. To select genotypes with potential use in the management of fruit blotch, the resistance level of watermelon genotypes belonging to the Cucurbits Germplasm Active Bank for the Brazilian Northeast (Banco Ativo de Germoplasma de Cucurbitáceas para o Nordeste Brasileiro-BAG) of Embrapa Semiárido was evaluated at different plant developmental stages: seeds (74 genotypes), seedlings and plants before flowering (29 genotypes) as well as plants during flowering and fruiting (seven genotypes). The genotypes were evaluated for the incidence or severity of the disease, which was estimated with the aid of descriptive scales. Additionally, A. citrulli transmission was determined in seeds derived from symptomatic and asymptomatic fruits. No watermelon genotype was immune to fruit blotch, and the majority showed variations in resistance responses. However, the genotypes BGCIA 979, BGCIA 34 and Sugar Baby showed high levels of resistance at most stages of plant development, thereby suggesting that these genotypes possess fruit blotch resistance genes that could be used in breeding programs. Seeds from symptomatic and asymptomatic fruits of the seven tested genotypes showed transmission rates of A. citrulli up to 35.3 % and 8.7 %, respectively. These results confirm that asymptomatic fruits can harbor contaminated seeds that are responsible for the transmission of the bacteria.

-For the control of soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) in chili, 10 treatments were evaluated: Bacillus spp.: isolated C116 (B. pumilus); Yeasts: isolated Lma (Rhodotorula aurantiaca) and Lms (R. glutinis); Potassium phosphite and calcium, calcium sources: CaCl2, Ca (CO3) 2 and Ca (SO4) 2; fungicidal/bactericidal organic Antica ®; Kasumin ® antibiotic. After determining the concentration of the antagonist and alternative products by antibiogram testing, testing was performed in vivo by pathogen inoculation, six hours after treatment with antagonists and alternative products. We determined the Incubation Period (PI), severity of illness (SEV), reduction of disease severity (RSD%) and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). All treatments showed higher PI and RSD% and lower values of SEV and AUDPC compared to the control. Calcium phosphite, C116, Lms, Lma and potassium phosphite were significantly higher when compared to other treatments. Pcc was resistant Kasumin ®, possessing SEV and AUDPC did not differ significantly from control.