Enhancing the Efficacy of Burkholderia cepacia B23 with Calcium Chloride and Chitosan to Control Anthracnose of Papaya During Storage

The efficacy of the combination of Burkholderia cepacia B23 with 0.75% chitosan and 3% calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) as a biocontrol treatment of anthracnose disease of papaya caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, was evaluated during storage. The growth of B. cepacia B23 in papaya wounds and on fruit surfaces was not affected in presence of chitosan and $CaCl_2$ or combination throughout the storage period. The combination of B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-$CaCl_2$ was more effective in controlling the disease than either B. cepacia B23 or chitosan or other combination treatments both in inoculated and naturally infected fruits. Combining B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-$CaCl_2$ gave the complete control of anthracnose infection in artificially inoculated fruits stored at $14^{\circ}C$ and 95% RH for 18 days, which was similar to that obtained with fungicide $benocide^{(R)}$. Moreover, this combination offered a greater control by reducing 99% disease severity in naturally infected fruits at the end of 14 days storage at $14^{\circ}C$ and 95% RH and six days post ripening at $28\pm2^{\circ}C$, which was superior to that found with $benocide^{(R)}$ or other treatments tested. Thus, postharvest application of B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-$CaCl_2$ as enhancers represents a promising alternative to synthetic fungicides for the control of anthracnose in papaya during storage.