In Vitro Evaluation of Fungicides Against Mango Anthracnose Caused by <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i>

Abstract

Mango is a significant fruit crop in our country, but it is often attacked by anthracnose, a disease that causes considerable pre and post-harvest losses. There are different methods to control this disease but management through the use of various fungicides, often in combination is more suitablef, under field conditions. This study was conducted in vitro experiments using the poison food technique to induce anthracnose disease in mangoes. Efficacy of 10 different fungicides was investigated, including contact fungicides like Blitox (Copper oxychloride 50% WP) and Indofil M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP), as well as systemic fungicides like Topsin-M 70 WP (Thiophanate-M methyl 70% WP), Amistar Top (Difenconazole @ 12.5%), Aliette (Fosetyl Aluminium 80%), Score (Difenconazole @ 25% EC), Meriman (Captan WP 50%), Tilt (Propiconazole 25% EC), mirador (Azoxystrobin @ 20%), and Native (Tebuconazole+ Trifloxystrobin 75% WG). These fungicides were tested at three concentrations (0.05, 0.1, and 0.15) to evaluate their effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i>, the causal agent of anthracnose in mangoes. The results of this study showed that among the fungicides tested, Tilt (Propiconazole 25% WP), a systemic fungicide, exhibited superior inhibition, achieving complete 50 percent mycelial inhibition and preventing sporulation across all three concentrations. In contrast, Meriman (Captan WP 50%) showed the lowest inhibition, at 31.57 percent, compared to the other fungicides tested. These findings underscore the importance of selecting the appropriate fungicide for effective management of anthracnose in mango crops.