Effect of native-Mexican strains of Bacillus subtilis on melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit quality and diseases
I. M. Espitia-Vazquez (1), L. Perez-Moreno (1), R. Ramírez-Malagon (1), B. Mendoza-Celedón (1), G. Martinez-Soto (1), M. d. Abraham-Juarez (1), V. Olalde-Portugal (2), H. G. NUNEZ-PALENIUS (1). (1) University of Guanajuato, Irapuato, Mexico; (2) CINVESTAV-IPN, Irapuato Unit, Irapuato, Mexico
Melon is susceptible to pests and diseases. <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> protects against diseases, promote plant growth and improve fruit. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of four native-Mexican and one commercial (Kodiak®) strains of <i>B. subtilis</i> on melon fruit quality and reduce disease impact. The experiment was carried out during the Spring-Summer 2012, and a CRD was used. Data was subject to ANOVA and means were separated by Tukey´s Test. Eighteen melon cv. Top Mark plants were used for each treatment. The strains were applied as Mena-Violante and Olalde-Portugal (2007) reported. Plants were cultivated inside of a greenhouse in plastic bags (11.3 L) filled with course-grade zeolite. Training, pruning, and fertigation of plants were performed according to those recommended (Nunez-Palenius et al., 2006). Hermaphrodite flowers were self-pollinated by hand. Only three fruit were kept on each plant. Six plant agronomic characteristics and nine postharvest fruit features were evaluated. No pests were detected during the entire experiment. Powdery mildew was the only disease present on all the plants from all treatments. Rally® 40WSP treatment was not able to control this disease, but Amistar 250 did. Surprisingly, no significant differences on either agronomic or postharvest variables were obtained. The <i>B. subtilis</i> tested strains neither avoided the presence of powdery mildew nor improved the melon fruit quality. This Project was supported by DAIP-UG-2011.
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