An Integrated Treatment of Basil Oil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i>) and Alum with Modified Atmosphere to Control Crown Rot Disease in Embul Banana

Abstract

A study was undertaken with the objective of developing environmental friendly integrated treatment strategies for controlling crown rot disease in Embul banana. The fungicidal potential of 1% alum (sodium aluminium sulphate) was observed in vitro. Findings indicate that alum+basil oil (0.16% or 0.20% v/v) treated 80, 85, 90 day mature Embul banana fruits were relatively free from crown rot disease after subjecting to modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and storage at optimum temperature. Crown rot disease severity of 85-day mature and vacuum packed 1% alum (w/v) washed banana was lower and comparable to carbendazim (bavistin) treatment. After ripening, there was no significant difference in physico-chemical properties (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, pH, fruit firmness) of all treated fruits compared to the control. Sensory properties were slightly affected as compared to untreated fruits. MAP and vaccum packaging in combination with alum and/ or basil oil spray treatments at 12-14 0 C could extend the storage life of Embul banana upto 32 days which could be recommended for sea shipment.

Control of Postharvest Crown Rot Disease in Cavendish Banana with Aluminium Sulfate and Vacuum Packaging

“…Each treatment comprised of four replicate boxes, each with fi ve hands (weighing 5.0-5.5 kg). All treatments were stored at 12-14 ºC in a cold room at 85-90% relative humidity at CIC Agri Business Centre, Dambulla, Sri Lanka (Abeywickrama et al, 2009). Observations were made after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of storage.…”

“…The end point was taken as the sudden appearance of slight pink colour in the solution. TA was calculated by multiplying the NaOH volume with the dilution factor and the malic acid factor (malic acid factor=0.0067 g).TA was expressed as % malic acid (Abeywickrama et al, 2009;Siriwardana et al, 2016). Ten replicate samples were used per treatment.…”

“…The homogenate was fi ltered and the fi ltrate was taken to measure the TSS using a hand-held Refractometer (ATC, ATAGO, Japan, Brix; 0-32%). The actual TSS content was calculated by multiplying each reading with the dilution factor (Abeywickrama et al, 2009;Siriwardana et al, 2016).Ten replicate samples were used per treatment.…”

“…The probe was gently pressed against a cross cut section (1 cm thickness) of a fi nger until it indicated a constant value (Abeywickrama et al,2009;Siriwardana et al, 2016). Ten replicate samples were used per treatment.…”

“…Crown rot in each hand was recorded using a standard index developed at the Department of Botany, University of Kelaniya (Crown Rot Severity (CRS) 0=No rot, 1=25% Crown rot, 2=50% Crown rot, 3=75% Crown rot, 4=100% Crown rot) (Abeywickrama et al, 2009;Siriwardana et al, 2016).…”