ABSTRACT Seed microbiolization has been increasingly contributed to researches due to its beneficial action in the initial growth of seedlings and control of phytopathogens. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the initial growth and control of fungi associated with cowpea seeds by the seed microbiolization with commercial strains of Trichoderma spp. Seeds of cowpea cultivar 'BRS Gurguéia' were analyzed in a completely randomized design, with four replications, using five commercial strains based on Trichoderma asperellum and T. harzianum (Trichodermax®, Quality®, Trichodermil®, Agroguard® and Ecotrich®) and two control treatments, represented by untreated seeds (negative control) and the fungicide carbendazim (positive control). Sanity, germination, emergence and electrical conductivity tests of seeds were carried out to confirm the hypotheses. Seed microbiolization with Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma harzianum are effective in reducing the incidence of fungi and have antimicrobial activity similar to synthetic fungicide. The strains T. asperellum T-211 (Trichodemax®), T. asperellum URM-5911 (Quality®) e T. harzianum ESALQ-1306 (Trichodermil®) promote increases for seed vigor. The percentage of seed emergence is maximized with the application of strains T. asperellum (Quality® and Trichodemax®). The commercial strains of Trichoderma tested increase the initial growth of cowpea seedlings cv. 'BRS Gurguéia'.

Abstract The use of edible coating has been an alternative to maintain the quality of vegetables and prolong their post-harvest life. This study aims to evaluate bioactive compounds in Spondias tuberosa submitted to different coating formulations based on Chlorella sp. associated with the pomegranate seed oil, to establish the one that best maintains post-harvest quality. The experiment was set in a completely randomized design, in a 5 × 6 factorial scheme, represented by five coating techniques (T1 = control; T2 = 0.5% Chlorella sp.; T3 = 1% Chlorella sp.; T4 = 1.5% Chlorella sp.; T5 = 2% Chlorella sp.), using 0.3% of pomegranate seed oil in coatings, during five evaluation periods (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days), stored in BOD incubator at 24 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% RH, with three replicates of ten fruits per plot. Chlorella sp. associated with pomegranate seed oil produced a modified atmosphere around the fruit, retarding the ripening process. Coatings preserved the content of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds. The treatment containing 2.0% of Chlorella sp. associated with pomegranate seed oil provided the best maintenance for fruit quality.