Phomopsis longanae Chi-induced pericarp browning and disease development of harvested longan fruit in association with energy status

• Phomopsis longanae Chi was the main pathogenic fungus of harvested longan fruit.
• P. longanae-induced pericarp browning of longan fruit in relation to energy deficit.
• P. longanae-induced disease development of longan fruit related to energy deficit.
• Loss of disease resistance of longan fruit was accounted for energy deficit.

The effects of Phomopsis longanae Chi infection on browning development and disease incidence in relation to energy status in pericarp of harvested longan fruit were investigated. Longan fruit were inoculated for 5 min with P. longanae at 104 spores mL−1, while fruit dipped in sterile deionized water were used as control. These fruits were stored at (28 ± 1) °C and 90% relative humidity for up to five days. The results showed that the browning index, disease incidence, cellular membrane permeability and AMP content increased but the contents of ATP and ADP, and energy charge decreased in pericarp of longan fruit infected by P. longanae. It was suggested that P. longanae infection caused energy deficiency in longan fruit, possibly resulting in accelerated senescence and decreased resistance to pathogen, and thus promoted browning development and disease occurrence.

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