摘要
X-ray irradiation (510 and 875 Gy) of intact unwounded 鈥楥lemenules鈥?mandarins increased the rind biosynthesis of the phytoalexins scoparone and scopoletin after storage at 20 掳C for up to 14 d, but not at 5 掳C for up to 60 d. In general, irradiation did not affect the content of polymethoxyflavones in the rind and vitamin C and flavanone glycosides in the juice. Clementines that were wounded, irradiated at 510 Gy and inoculated with Penicillium digitatum, contained higher scoparone and scopoletin levels than non-irradiated ones. Sodium carbonate treatment (3%SC) increased scoparone but not scopoletin levels in inoculated fruit. SC treatment and irradiation at 510 Gy induced highest scoparone and scopoletin accumulation 3 d post-fungal inoculation at 20 掳C (125.3 and 15.4 渭g/g rind dry weight, respectively), and effectively inhibited green mold. However, phytoalexin levels declined and disease control failed 5 d after fungal inoculation. Irradiation at 875 Gy appeared to be phytotoxic and did not induce phytoalexin production nor prevented green mold in rind wounds.