Thermotherapy combined with alternative products in the management of melon rot caused by Fusarium falciforme

In the search for efficient and sustainable methods for the management of Fusarium rot in melon, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the thermotherapy, whether it's used alone or in combination with alternative products to Magnate®, in melons inoculated with two isolates of Fusarium falciforme . The effect of the treatments on fruit quality was evaluated using physicochemical parameters, disease severity, and enzymatic analyses. The in vitro experiments showed that the lowest concentration (0.0625% v/v) of cinnamon essential oil was the most effective in controlling the mycelial growth of both isolates, demonstrating comparable effects to those observed with Copper Crop® and Magnate®. In the in vivo experiments, treating fruits with thermotherapy combined with Cooper Crop® greatly reduced melon rot decreased the damage caused by the two isolates of F. falciforme and was more effective than Magnate®. This treatment produced a lower level of hydrogen peroxide in the inoculated fruits, thereby maintaining cell membranes. It contains antifungal compounds inherent to its composition and exerts an influence on the enzyme’s peroxidase and polyphenoxidase, thereby inducing the defense mechanism of the fruit. Therefore, thermotherapy combined with Cooper Crop® can be used to manage melon rot as an alternative to Magnate®.