Plant hormesis induced by ultraviolet light-C for controlling postharvest diseases of tree fruits

Abstract Low hormetic doses of ultraviolet light (254 nm, UV-C) reduced postharvest decay of pome, stone, and citrus fruits. Loring and Elberta peaches, Golden Delicious apples, Marsh Seedless grapefruits, and Dancy tangerines were irradiated with selected low UV-C doses and stored. The application of UV-C reduced postharvest decay which included: brown rot ( Monilinia fructicola ) of peaches; Alternaria rot ( Alternaria spp.), bitter rot ( Colletotrichum gloeosporioides ) of apples and brown rot ( Monilinia spp.) of apples; green mold rot ( Penicillium digitatum ) of grape fruits and tangerines; and stem end rot ( Alternaria citri ) and sour rot ( Geotrichum candidum ) of tangerines.