EFFECT OF CYMBOPOGON NARDUS ON INCIDENCE OF ANTHRACNOSE DISEASE AND POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF DRAGON FRUIT DURING STORAGE

The industry is under pressure to minimize the use of synthetic fungicides employed at postharvest to control disease on fruits. Essential oils are reported to have some fungicidal properties against certain postharvest diseases of tropical fruits and vegetables and more safe for the environment than synthetic. The effects of Cymbopogon nardus oil on quality of dragon fruit during storage in cold room (10°C, RH 85-90%) for 21 days were determined using six concentrations of Cymbopogon nardus oil (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%). The Cymbopogon nardus oil treatment delayed the disease incidence and maintained the quality during storage. However, some phytotoxic effects were observed on fruits treated with higher concentration (2-5%). It can thus be concluded that the concentration below 2% can be used for extending the storage life of dragon fruit for up to 14 days without affecting the physicochemical properties.