Postharvest decay control of a long-storage tomato landrace using different preharvest treatments

In order to reduce the postharvest decay of a long-term storage tomato landrace (Pomodorino del piennolo del Vesuvio), seven commercial products (essential oils of thyme and oregano, Chitoplant, propolis, Karma, Signum, AmyloX) were sprayed on the plants at 5, 15, 25, and 35 days before the harvest and compared with an untreated control. Harvested fruit from each experimental plot were stored in an unconditioned and well-ventilated shed up to 200 DAH. Starting from 80 DAH, the number of healthy and rotten berries was evaluated every 40 days. The decayed fruit, showing typical symptoms of fungal infection, were collected and the fungal pathogens were isolated and morphologically characterized. The data on the efficacy in the control of eight relevant fungal pathogens, in field and in postharvest stage, are reported. Commercial product Signum showed the highest efficacy in the control of the diseases (54.8%) and resulted also to be the most efficient treatment in reducing the post-harvest decay showing at 200 DAH the highest percentage of healthy fruits (56.0% with respect to 41.0% recorded for the control).