The Effect of Pre-Harvest Treatment with Fungicide on the Storage Potential of Root Vegetables

The results of experiments conducted over many years indicate that proper agrotechnical methods of cultivating root vegetables (carrot, parsley, and celeriac) such as while proper crop rotation, fertilization, and optimal storage conditions effects the quality and storage potential of these vegetables, while preharvest protection did not have a significant effect on storage life and the occurrence of fungal diseases during long-term storage.

The highest effectiveness in pre-harvest protection of the studied vegetable species against alternaria leaf blight on carrot, powdery mildew on parsley, and septoria leaf spot on celeriac was exhibited by: azoxystrobin, azoxystrobin + chlorotalonil, and pyraclostrobin + boscalid, which proved to be highly effective in preventing infection with storage diseases (over 90%), and had a beneficial effect on the storage life of these vegetable roots in comparison with unprotected objects. Significantly lower effectiveness in pre-harvest protection and smaller effect on storage life was shown by natural fungicidal products (chitosan, orange oil, melaleuca oil). Although they showed lower effectiveness, they can be recommended for use in the integrated and ecological systems of producing root vegetables for long-term storage.