Abstract

The present study assayed the effect of the fungicides benomyl, methyl-thiophanate, thiabendazole and calcium chloride on fungal decay of pears caused by Alternaria alternata and Penicillium expansum. Both in vitro and in vivo, the efficacy of fungicides alone against the two fungi was shown to be weak and without any practical interest. In vitro, CaCl₂ alone was tolerated by both species at more than 4%. In vivoand at low temperature, CaCl₂ significantly reduced fungal decay when used at 4 and 6%. The association fungicides - CaCl₂ (4%) allowed a better control of A. alternata.

Key words: Pears, conservation, fungi, calcium chloride, fungicides.