Foliar application of acibenzolar-S-methyl and protection of postharvest rock melons and Hami melons from disease

A pre-flowering foliar spray of the plant activator acibenzolar-S-methyl at 50 mg/L a.i. combined with a fruit dip in guazatine at 500 mg/L a.i. at ha rvest substantially decreased disease in stored melons. Major diseases occu rring on rock melons and Hami melons were caused by Fusarium spp., Alternar ia spp., Rhizopus spp. and Trichothecium sp. The treatment with acibenzolar -S-methyl alone was significantly effective in reduction of the disease sev erity in many but not all situations. The fungicide guazatine alone signifi cantly decreased infection by Fusarium spp. but had a lesser effect on that caused by Alternaria spp. and Rhizopus spp.