Investigation on the effects of extracts obtained from Bryoria fuscescens (Gyeln.) Brodo & D. Hawksw., Evernia prunastri (L.) ach. and Ramalina fraxinea (L.) ach. against some post-harvest diseases of fruits

Recently, biological control has been widely accepted as a new application in the control of post-harvest fruit diseases. In this study, in vitro and in vivo effects of Bryoria fuscescens, Evernia prunastri and Ramalina fraxinea ethanol extracts on pear fruits against Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum at different concentrations were evaluated. In vivo applications were performed in 2 experimental groups (applications at 0 and 12 hour). It was determined that the 12th hour applications were more effective than the 0th hour applications. Against B. cinerea, E. prunastri completely inhibited the growth of the pathogen at 10% concentration in vivo. On the other hand, B. fuscescens showed an increasing effect on lesion diameter of pathogens in in vivo when applied at 0 hour. In the 12th hour application of the extracts, a decreasing trend was observed in the diameter of lesions belong to both pathogens. Similar results have been observed in in vitro studies. B. fuscescens, E. prunastri and R. fraxinea completely inhibited the germination of B. cinerea spores at 10% concentration while only extracts of B. fuscescens and E. prunastri were able to inhibit spore germination of P. expansum. According to the results of this study, lichen extracts can reduce the damage caused by important postharvest pathogens in pear fruits.