Effect of ozone treatments on postharvest gray mold decay on pomegranate

Among the pathogens causing post-harvest decay in pomegranate fruit, B. cinerea is the most important since it causes latent infections during flowering period. The lack of registrated pesticide for post-harvest on pomegranate in Turkey and harmful effects of pesticides to human and environmental health need to search for alternative control methods. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of post-harvest ozone applications on the development of gray mold decay on pomegranate. The fruit was immersed in ozonated water at a concentration of 1, 5 g O3/Nm3 for 3 minutes, 24 hours before and 24 hours after inoculation with B. cinerea and in the ozone applications to the air, the fruits were kept in the ozone gases at a dosage of 50, 100 mg O3/Nm3 for 10 minutes in 2015. In the studies in 2016, the fruits were kept in the ozone gases at a doses of 50, 100 mg O3/Nm3 for 10, 20 minutes without inoculation. All treated fruits were stored in cold storage room at 6 ± 0.5 ° C and 90-95% relative humidity for 5 months. As a result of the studies, an protection effect by 75.45% in aqua ozone application at a concentration of 5 g O3/Nm3 after inoculation and 89.48% in ozone application to the air in a dose of 50 mg O3/Nm3 was obtained. There was no phytotoxic effect on fruit after ozone applications.