Induced Resistance in Melons by Elicitors for the Control of Postharvest Diseases

Melons fruit can be induced to develop enhanced resistance to pathogen infection by pre- or postharvest treatment with a variety of chemical, physical and biological elicitors. The elicitors include acibenzolar, soluble silicon, oxalic acid, chitosan, β-aminobutyric acid, 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid, heat treatment and harpin. Resistance induced is broad spectrum and long lasting, but rarely provides complete control of infection. The mechanism of induced resistance is involved in the accumulation of defense enzymes, antifungal compounds, increasing of reactive oxygen species and lignification of epidermal cells. In order to maximize the efficacy of resistance elicitors, it is required to understand of the mechanism of induced resistance and the effect factors of pre- or postharvest. There also needs to evaluate quality change in induced fruit. It is concluded that control of melons postharvest disease by induced resistance would be the use of integrated approach combining chemical, physical and biological control methods, and culture practices.