The effect of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), mannano-oligosaccharides (MOS) and citrus bioflavonoids (BFC) was studied for control of bacterial fruit blotch of yellow melon (hybrid AF4945) and Pele de Sapo melon (hybrid Nilo), evaluating different application periods (10 and 15 days after plant emergence), and dosages (acibenzolar-S-methyl 25; 50 and 75 mg a.i. L-1; mannano-oligosaccharides 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5 c.p. L-1; citrus bioflavonoids 2; 3 and 4 mL c.p. L-1) and also on plant growth in soil supplemented or not with NPK. The best period for application was 10 days after plant emergence. Considering both genotypes, ASM (50 mg a.i. L-1) and BFC (3 mL c.p. L-1) increased incubation period until 13 and 8 days and reduced disease incidence by 88 and 60%; disease index by 96 and 88%; and area under disease progress curve by 94 and 74%, respectively. However, independent of NPK level in the soil ASM and BFC reduced melon plant height by 24%; they also reduced fresh and dry shoot biomass by 41% and 34%, respectively.
Acidovorax citrulli; Cucumis melo; resistance inducers; physiological cost
