Evaluation of Antifungal Properties of Botanicals in Green Mould of Citrus
Keywords:
Penicillium digitatum, citrus, management botanicals, Allium sativum, green mould.Abstract
The most economically important post harvest disease in citrus is considered to be Green mould disease of citrus caused by Penicillium digitatum. In an attempt to explore the possibilities to develop effective post harvest management practices and keeping in mind the harmful effects of the use of chemicals ten botanicals viz. Azadiracta indica, Capsicum annum, Eucalyptus citriodora Hoch., Zingiber officinalis, Allium sativum, Murrya koenigii, Bacopa onneiri, Zanthoxylum oxiphyllum DC., Allium cepa and Mentha piperita L. were screened under in vitro and in vivo conditions for their inhibitory action on the mycelial growth of Penicillium digitatum. Among the botanicals screened, Allium sativum recorded maximum per cent inhibition (76.89%) at 15% concentration which was followed by Capsicum annum (68.94%) at 15% concentration. Three best anti-fungal activity plant crude extracts based on in vitro screening results were evaluated to check their efficacy under in vivo, viz., Allium sativum, Mentha piperita and Capsicum annum against Penicillium digitatum under pre inoculated and post inoculated conditions. It was found that A. sativum recorded the least disease incidence with PDI of 24.67% and 34.67% under pre inoculated and post inoculated condition followed by Mentha piperita recording PDI of 28.00% and 34.00% under pre inoculated and post inoculated conditions.
