Influence of boron applications on preharvest and postharvest nectarine fruit rot caused by brown rot

Brown rot is a very important disease of stone fruit causing mainly postharvest damages on fruit, although preharvest fruit rots and shoot blight are also important. With recent public concerns regarding pesticide residues on fruit, there is a need for alternative disease management practices that will reduce health risks resulting from occupational exposure and from residues in food and drinking water. The main aim of this study was the investigation of the effects of boron on the susceptibility of nectarine (cv Tasty Free) on preharvest and postharvest fruit rots. The results demonstrated the fungicidal activity of organic chemical structure of boron to the mycelial growth of M. laxa in vitro. This product inhibited the mycelial growth and conidia germination of M. laxa at concentration of 1000 and 1600 mu l/l respectively. The EC 50 value was 690.9 mu l/l for the mycelial growth and 985 mu l/l for the conidia germination respectively. Spray applications of nectarine trees reduced the susceptibility of fruit on preharvest and postharvest fruit rots caused by brown rot. Generally, boron application is an effective, alternative method to improve the resistance of nectarine to brown rot.