Effect of Chitosan Solution on the Inhibition of Pseudomonas fluorescens Causing Bacterial Head Rot of Broccoli

The in vitro antibacterial properties of two kinds of chitosan solutions and their effect in protection of broccoli from bacterial head rot disease were evaluated. Results showed that the two kinds of chitosan solution at different concentrations exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas fluorescens. However, the antibacterial activity of chitosan A solution increased with the increase of chitosan concentration up to 0.10 mg/ml while the antibacterial activity of chitosan B solution increased with the increase of chitosan concentration up to 0.05 mg/ml. In addition, the antibacterial activity of chitosan A and chitosan B solution of 0.10 mg/ml increased with the incubation time within 12 h and 24 h, respectively. The disease incidence and the lesion diameter of broccoli inoculated with P. fluorescens were significantly reduced when plants were either pretreated or post-treated with six different combinations of chitosan solutions. Overall, the results indicated that the two kinds of chitosan solutions had a potential in controlling bacterial head rot of broccoli.