Gamma radiation in the management of soft bell pepper rot

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of gamma radiation at low doses on the post - harvest control of soft rot by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum - Pcc in bell pepper, as well as to evaluate the effect of this method on the physical-chemical characteristics of the fruit. Fruit apparently disease-free was inoculated with 10 μl Pcc suspension at 1x109 UFC.mL-1. After inoculation, the fruits were irradiated with the doses of 0.25; 0,5; 1.0 and 1.25 kGy and stored at 28 ± 2 ° C, being evaluated until the controls became unviable for evaluation, 48 h after inoculation. Petri dishes were also irradiated with 36 h growth colonies at the same doses described previously, and afterwards the colonies were inoculated in healthy bell peppers, the fruits being evaluated for pH, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), percentage of Mass Loss (Weight) and firmness. All radiation doses were efficient in handling Pcc and the dose of 1.25 kGy completely inhibited its action. Only the plates irradiated with 0.5 KGy allowed the growth of the colonies after the irradiation of the plates. The physical-chemical characteristics did not present statistical difference.