The effect of three calcium sources [CaCl2, Ca (CO3)2 and Ca (SO4)2] at 1; 2; 4; 6 and 8% (w/v) were evaluated on control of soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) in tomato fruits. The calcium sources were applied using vacuum infiltration. Fruits were inoculated with pathogen 24 h later by deposition of 10 ml of a bacterial suspension containing 10(8) CFU/ml, on artificial wounds. Fruits were incubated in a moist chamber at 92±4% relative humidity during 48 h and evaluated by measuring the lesion diameter in two opposite sides. The disease severity reduction (DSR) was calculated in relation to the control with calcium application. The best calcium source and concentration was CaCl2 8% which reduced the disease severity by 69.5%. The antagonists Rhodotorula sp. (LD-19) and a fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. (P-2) were tested separately and along with CaCl2 8%. The antagonist was applied by pouring 10 ml of suspensions (DO580=0.7) on the wounds 24 h after calcium treatment and 2 h before Pcc inoculation. The difference was significant among treatments and, the combination CaCl2 8% + LD19 showed 90% DSR. Isolates P-2 and LD-19 applied separated showed lower percentage of DSR.
Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum; biological control; integrated control, Rhodotorula sp.; fluorescent Pseudomonas sp; calcium
