Applications of salt solutions before and after harvest affect the quality and incidence of postharvest gray mold of ‘Italia’ table grapes

The efficacy of some potassium and calcium based salts, namely potassium sulphate (PS), potassium sorbate (PSo), potassium carbonate (PC), potassium bicarbonate (PB), calcium sulphate (CS), calcium chelate (CCh), calcium chloride (CC) and calcium silicate (CSi) against gray mold of ‘Italia’ table grapes, was evaluated. In in vitro experiments, PSo, PC, PB, and CCh completely inhibited mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea at 0.25%. Under artificial inoculation, salts at 1% (immersed or sprayed) showed a variable effect against the pathogen. For natural infection, salt solutions (1%, w/v) were applied according to three strategies: (a) spray (one week) before harvest, (b) immersion after harvest, and (c) combined treatments spray and immersion. The decay incidence of gray mold was evaluated after 30 days at 2 ± 1 °C and 90–95% RH, followed by 7 days of shelf-life at 22 ± 2 °C. All tested salts significantly reduced the decay incidence of gray mold as compared to a water control for the three strategies. The percentages of reduction ranged between 77–100, 91–98, and 61–100% for the preharvest treatment, in combined application, and in the postharvest treatment, respectively. PB and PSo were the most effective salts, completely inhibiting development of gray mold when applied before harvest and as a postharvest treatment. The influence of salts on physical and chemical properties of berry quality including total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, color index, weight losses and microbiological profiles was also investigated. New strategies are needed with the critical goal of controlling gray mold of grapes with no fungicide residues. Salts applied just before harvest may be an effective way to minimize gray mold during storage.