Evaluation of an organic treatment for post-harvest control of crown rot of banana

Abstract

An organic treatment for control of crown rot disease of banana was developed and evaluated at EARTH University in Costa Rica. Studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Biocto 6 (seed extract from citrus) in combination with the wax-based adjuvant Verdiol for control of post-harvest crown rot of banana. The standard commercial fungicide treatment (thiabendazol, imazalil and ammonium sulfate) and an untreated control were included for comparison. Bananas with the various treatments were processed using standard commercial procedures and stored in a refrigerated chamber that was modified to simulate commercial transport, distribution and controlled ripening for exported bananas. Fruit clusters were evaluated for percent weight loss, ripening in storage and crown rot disease severity. At the end of the 28-day storage period, there were no significant differences in percent weight loss between any of the treatments. There was no significant difference in ripening (maturity level) between the organic treatment and the commercial fungicide standard in 2 years of testing. In 2003, the untreated control had a significantly higher maturity rating than the organic or standard fungicide treatment. However, there were no significant differences in any of the treatments in maturity level in 2005. There was no significant difference between the organic and standard fungicide treatment for crown rot control and both treatments had significantly less crown rot than the untreated control. Results indicate that Biocto 6 in combination with Verdiol wax provides a new organic alternative for control of post-harvest crown rot of banana.