Efficacies of botanicals in the management of stem end rot disease of mango fruits

The phytopathogenic fungus Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat., causes stem end rot disease of mango fruits. Extracts from twenty angiospermic taxa were evaluated for their antifungal activity. The extracts were prepared in water, acetone, ethyl alcohol, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol. Among the selected plants, essential oil (EO) of Adenocalymma alliaceum was found to be effective in controlling the growth of Botryodiplodia theobromae. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the EO was 100ppm. The oil was found to withstand a high inoculum density. Plant extracts of Allamanda cathartica, Lawsonia inermis, Prunus persica and Adenocalymma alliaceum in different solvents showed inhibitory effect on B. theobromae. However, Leaf extract of Adenocalymma alliaceum in all the solvents namely, water, acetone, ethyl alcohol, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol was found to have antifungal activity. An enhancement in the shelf life of mango fruits was recorded under in vivo trial after treatment with aqueous extract and essential oil of A. alliaceum. It is concluded that the aqueous extract and EO of A. alliaceum has a great potential in the management of B. theobromae damage to mango fruits.