Effect of certain inorganic chemicals on growth and spore germination of Alternaria tenuis auct., the fungus causing core rot of mandarin oranges in India

Abstract

Laboratory studies to determine the tolerance of an isolate ofAlternaria tenuis causing a black core rot of mandarin oranges (Citrus reticulata) have shown that presence of low amounts of manganese, zinc, iron, copper, boron, and molybdenum in a synthetic medium stimulated growth and sporulation of the fungus. Concentrations of 20 ppm or more of copper sulphate, boric acid, and ammonium molybdate, however, caused significant reduction of growth. Conidia of the fungus were very sensitive to even low amounts of copper, zinc, and iron. Copper sulphate was most toxic to spore germination followed, in order of inhibitory effect, by zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, and boric acid. Ammonium molybdate and manganese sulphate were stimulatory to spore germination at 5 ppm. There was a positive correlation between percentage of spore germination and average length of germ tubes in different concentrations of various chemicals. The possibility of using copper sulphate, zinc sulphate, and ferrous sulphate as spray materials for trees and as dip for ripe fruits to prevent black core rot are discussed.