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Pre-harvest root application of soluble silicon improves postharvest quality and induces antifungal compounds in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

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Abstract

Beneficial effects of Silicon (Si) on disease control have been shown in a number of plant pathosystems. The present study ascertained the effect of root application of soluble Si on postharvest quality of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) with special reference to the disease development by Fusarium oxysporum. Plants were treated with Potassium silicate (Si+) by amending the soil mix (200 mgSi /kg soil). Treatments were started at the four leaf stage and continued up to 28 days at seven days intervals. Soil amendments with Si significantly reduced the postharvest weight loss and extended the shelf life by 2 days through delayed ripening and reduced fungal rot development. Si analysis in bitter gourds, harvested from Si + plants revealed that fruit tissues accumulated nearly1.5 times as much silicon (0.54% dry weight) as those grown in control (Si-) mix (0.36% dry weight). Extracts from Si + plants exhibited a stronger antifungal activity on thin layer chromatography (TLC) against Cladosporium cladosporioides. Methanolic extracts of fruit pericarp separated on TLC plates showed four antifungal zones at Rf 0.17, 0.51, 0.64 and 0.93. Compound separated at Rf 0.64 was observed in samples from Si + and/or challenged with F.oxysporum. Antifungal zone at Rf 0.51 was present only when Si + fruits were challenged with the fungus. These results suggest that by using soil application of soluble Si, postharvest quality of bitter gourd can be improved and shelf life can be enhanced by 2 days compared to the control. Enhanced fungitoxic activity may have some role in Si-induced disease resistance againstpostharvest fungal pathogens.

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Acknowledgements

Financial assistance by the National Research Council of Sri Lanka under the Grant Number NRC 11/118 is highly appreciated.

Funding

This research project was funded by National Research Council of Sri Lanka Under the grant Number NRC/11/118.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Postharvest Technology, Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

    Ruwanka N. K. Ratnayake

  2. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    W. A. Malkanthi Daundasekera

  3. Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute, Gannoruwa, Sri Lanka

    Hearth M. Ariyarathne

  4. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Manawadevi Y. U. Ganehenege

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  1. Ruwanka N. K. Ratnayake
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  2. W. A. Malkanthi Daundasekera
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Correspondence to Ruwanka N. K. Ratnayake.

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Ratnayake, R.N.K., Malkanthi Daundasekera, W.A., Ariyarathne, H.M. et al. Pre-harvest root application of soluble silicon improves postharvest quality and induces antifungal compounds in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Phytoparasitica 46, 541–549 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-018-0680-8

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