Barkai-Golan, R., Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Rehovot, Israel, Soreq Nuclear Research Centre, Yavne, Israel
Kahan, R.S., Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Rehovot, Israel, Soreq Nuclear Research Centre, Yavne, Israel
Temkin-Gorodeiski, N., Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Rehovot, Israel, Soreq Nuclear Research Centre, Yavne, Israel

Direct effects of gamma rays on suspensions containing 105 spores/ml of the main fungi in Israel that cause the rot in stored melons, were tested by inoculating irradiated suspensions on Potato Dextrose Agar and into melon fruits. A 40 krad dose was lethal to Trichothecium roseum which was estremely sensitive. A 100 krad dose was lethal to Penicillium cyclopium, and P. viridicatum in vitro, while 150 krad was the lowest lethal dose tested in vivo. Lower doses (60 and 100 krad) caused some prolongation of the incubation period in melons stored at 17°C. The incubation period of Fusarium sp. inoculated into melons was 16-18 days for 100 krad doses, compared to ten days for controls. Its incubation was inhibited on melons by 200 krad for 24 days at 17°C, but there was a slow growth at 25°C in vitro between the 16th and 21st days. Alternaria tenuis was radiation resistance with 300 krad being sublethal both in vitro and in vivo. © 1968.