Biological control of alternaria brown spot and post-harvest quality in ‘Dancy’ tangerine fruits

Authors

  • Analberto Ian de Oliveira Nascimento Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7429-7159
  • Hilderlande Florêncio da Silva Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0356-6328
  • Maria Silvana Nunes Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5185-2893
  • Edcarlos Camilo da Silva Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9990-8630
  • Robson Eduardo Pereira Monteiro Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1051-1184
  • Gabriela Barbosa de Freitas Monteiro Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6700-7695
  • Matheus Henrique Cardoso de Araújo Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1320-8479
  • Luciana Cordeiro do Nascimento Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5706-7041

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252026v3914268rc

Keywords:

Alternaria alternata f. sp. citri. Citrus sp.. Resistance induction.

Abstract

Tangerine is an important citrus crop in Brazil, but its production is limited by Alternaria brown spot (ABS), caused by Alternaria alternata f. sp. citri, which causes necrotic lesions, peel rot and premature fruit fall. Disease control is mainly based on the use of synthetic fungicides, whose excessive use causes environmental impacts. Thus, biological control emerges as a promising and sustainable alternative. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of commercial biological products in controlling ABS and post-harvest quality of ‘Dancy’ tangerine. The treatments were Quartzo®, Bombardeiro®, Bio-Imune®, Shocker®, Natucontrol®, Ecotrich®, Tricho-Turbo®, compared to the fungicide Thiabendazole and the control with sterilized distilled water. In in-vitro tests, mycelial growth, with the aid of a ruler, and sporulation from the spore suspension, were evaluated for seven days in potato-dextrose-agar medium containing the treatments and a disc of the pathogen in the center of the plates. Disease severity was evaluated using a diagrammatic scale after disc inoculation on injured fruits, observing activation of defense enzymes peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, suggesting induction of resistance. In the in-vitro test, the treatments reduced fungal growth, with Ecotrich® inhibiting 100% of the pathogen. No changes were observed in post-harvest quality parameters, such as soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C, pH, firmness and mass loss. It is concluded that the Ecotrich® and Tricho-Turbo® products stand out as effective and promising alternatives for the management of ABS in ‘Dancy’ tangerine fruits.

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Published

01-07-2026

Issue

Vol. 39 (2026)

Section

Scientific Article

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