Explicating Botanical Bactericides as an Intervention Tool towards Citrus Canker

Abstract

Recent research efforts were made to investigate botanical bactericides as an intervention tool for citrus canker. Five botanical extracts (Eruca vesicaria, Eucalyptus globulus, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella sativa, and Citrullus colocynthis) were evaluated at three different concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75%) against Xanthomonas citri pv. citri under in vitro conditions. Among all treatments, two effective plant extracts, alone and in combinations, were assessed at three different time points (7 days, 14 days, 21 days) under greenhouse conditions. In vitro and greenhouse experiments were conducted under a Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that C. colocynthis expressed the maximum inhibition zone (3.22 mm), followed by N. sativa (2.82 mm), T. foenum-graecum (2.68 mm), E. globulus (1.64 mm), and E. vesicaria (1.31 mm) compared to the control. Effective extracts of C. colocynthis and N. sativa were assessed under greenhouse conditions, both alone and in combination, against citrus canker. The minimum disease incidence (18.74%) was exhibited by the combination of C. colocynthis and N. sativa, followed by C. colocynthis (22.59%) and N. sativa (23.27%) compared to the control. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the application of botanical extracts is a reliable strategy for managing citrus canker.