Discovery of natural fungicidal principles from the plant sources for effective management of chilli anthracnose

Abstract

Anthracnose of chilli causes pre- and post-harvest fruit decay, resulting in significant yield losses. We surveyed major chilli growing regions in India and identified six Colletotrichum sp. viz., Colletotrichum truncatum, C. gloeosporioides, C. siamense, C. fructicola, C. karstii and C. cliviicola based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of 115 pure cultures isolated from symptomatic fruits. Antifungal potential of aqueous, acetone, ethyl acetate and methanol extract of 52 plant parts comprising 28 families were evaluated against all identified Colletotrichum sp. Out of these, aqueous extracts (30%) of Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Allium sativum and Phyllanthus emblica completely inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germination and solvent extracts (5 mg) showed a clear growth inhibition zone in vitro against Colletotrichum sp. Aqueous extract of S. aromaticum and ethyl acetate extract of C. zeylanicum was strongest as observed shrinking of cell components and maximum zone of inhibition (60 mm) of Colletotrichum sp., respectively.