Colletotrichum Musae Research Articles

Hass Avocado (Persea americana Mill) Peel Extract Reveals Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties against Verticillium theobromae, Colletotrichum musae, and Aspergillus niger Pathogens Affecting Musa acuminata Colla Species, in Ecuador.

The utilization of agroindustrial residues, such as avocado peel, as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties has garnered significant attention. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant potential using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) methods, along with the antimicrobial activity of phenolic compounds extracted from Hass avocado peel. These soluble polyphenols were quantified and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The research focused on their effects against three fungal pathogens, Verticillium theobromae, Colletotrichum musae, and Aspergillus niger, which significantly impact banana crops, an essential agricultural commodity in Ecuador. The results have revealed that the application of 80% ethanol as an organic solvent led to increased soluble polyphenol content compared to 96% ethanol. Extraction time significantly influenced the phenolic content, with the highest values obtained at 90 min. Interestingly, despite substantial mycelial growth observed across all extract concentrations, the antifungal effect varied among the pathogens. Specifically, V. theobromae exhibited the highest sensitivity, while C. musae and A. niger were less affected. These results underscore the importance of considering both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties when evaluating natural extracts for potential applications in plant disease management.

Zein nanoencapsulation enhances the antifungal activity of thymol for postharvest decay control in bananas

AbstractThe current work describes a nanoparticle system-based approach to enhance the antifungal activity of thymol, a ubiquitous natural antifungal phenolic compound, in postharvest control against banana anthracnose. Thymol was encapsulated within the amphiphilic protein zein by high-shear emulsification, yielding highly dispersible thymol-loaded zein nanoparticles with a high encapsulation efficiency (70%). These particles have an average diameter of 300 nm with spherical morphology, smooth interface, and matrix-type internal structure, as supported by comprehensive structural characterization (dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy). Based on a 40-d storage stability test, thymol was effectively retained within the nanoparticles at 4 °C and ambient room temperature (99% and 97% retention, respectively), despite thymol’s instability and volatility. Antifungal activity assessment against Colletotrichum musae, one of the predominant pathogens that cause banana anthracnose, showed a 200- to 300-fold improvement in the in vitro antifungal activity of thymol. Moreover, the application of thymol-loaded zein nanoparticles as a spray component for banana postharvest treatment demonstrated the efficacy of thymol-loaded zein nanoparticles in preventing and delaying the formation of initial symptoms of banana anthracnose. This appears to arise from the thymol-loaded zein nanoparticles depositing as a film on the banana epidermis, as revealed by atomic force microscopy. Overall, this nanoparticle system offers a new avenue for the design of effective antifungal materials with potential applications in combatting postharvest diseases. Graphical abstract

Influence of the Season of Year and Stage of Postharvest Processing on Anthracnose Severity in Bananas in a Savanna Climate in the Brazilian Northeast

ABSTRACTBanana cultivation has great socio‐economic importance in the Cariri region (state of Ceará), Brazil. This study aimed to monitor the severity of anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum musae) in bananas (cv. Prata) collected at three postharvest processing steps (dehanding, first washing and second washing) in packinghouses of four producing companies (A, B, C and D) in the wet (February–May) and dry (September–December) seasons of production in 2019. Averaged across packing companies and processing stages, disease severity was higher in the wet season (42.4%) than in the dry season (19.6%), but disease variability, expressed by the coefficient of variation, was higher in the dry season. In most cases, there were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences among processing stages within each packinghouse and season, but the stage with the highest disease severity was not consistent. In other words, there was no predictable change in disease severity from dehanding to first and second washing. It was impossible to identify a single pattern in the severity of anthracnose in banana fruits collected from different companies and stages of postharvest processing, and this may be associated with the management adopted in each production area.

Interventions based on alternative and sustainable strategies for postharvest control of anthracnose and maintain quality in tropical fruits.

Colletotrichum spp. is a phytopathogen causing anthracnose in a variety of tropical fruits. Strategies used to control postharvest diseases in tropical fruits typically rely on the use of synthetic fungicides, which have stimulated the emergence of resistant pathogens. Safer alternative strategies to control anthracnose in tropical fruits have been described in the literature. This review presents and discusses the main innovative interventions concerning the application of sustainable alternative strategies in the postharvest control of pathogenic Colletotrichum species in tropical fruits, with a particular emphasis on the studies published in the last 5 years. The available studies have shown the use of various methods, including physical barriers, natural antimicrobials, and biological control with antagonistic microorganisms, to reduce anthracnose lesion severity and incidence in tropical fruits. The available literature showed high inhibitory activity in vitro, reduced anthracnose incidence and lesion diameter, and total disease inhibition in tropical fruits. Most studies focused on the inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on avocado, papaya, and mango, as well as of Colletotrichum musae on banana; however, the inhibition of other Colletotrichum species was also demonstrated. The application of emerging sustainable alternative methods, including natural antimicrobial substances, also stimulated the induction of defense systems in tropical fruits, including enzymatic activity, such as polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. The retrieved data helped to understand the current state of the research field and reveal new perspectives on developing efficient and sustainable intervention strategies to control pathogenic Colletotrichum species and anthracnose development in tropical fruits.

Cultural and Physiological Variability in Colletotrichum musae- Causal Agent of Banana Post-Harvest Fruit Rot under Hill and Plain Agro-Ecosystems of Meghalaya

Cultural and Physiological Variability in Colletotrichum musae- Causal Agent of Banana Post-Harvest Fruit Rot under Hill and Plain Agro-Ecosystems of Meghalaya

Antifungal and Allelopathic Effects of Essential Oil from Calyptranthes concinna DC. Dried Leaves and of Its Major Constituent Elemicin

Essential oils (EOs) are natural products widely used in sustainable agrochemistry, not only because they are biodegradable and safe but also because they are regarded as alternatives to chemical fungicides against fungal species that attack crops. Allelopathy, another field of study, falls within the most recent and sustainable strategies applied to weed suppression to replace synthetic herbicides. Therefore, this study reports the chemical composition and allelopathic and antifungal effects of the EOs extracted from Calyptranthes concinna dried leaves (Cc-EO) and its pure major constituent elemicin. Their antifungal activities were evaluated by the disk diffusion method (DDM) at doses between 0.05 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL of Cc-EO and elemicin. The allelopathic effect was evaluated by studying the inhibition of germination and the growth of Lactuca sativa seeds. The chemical composition of Cc-EO was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID analyses. The major constituents of Cc-EO were elemicin (60.5%), α-cadinol (9.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.3%). Cc-EO and elemicin were assayed in vitro against 17 fungi of agronomic interest (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. nomius, Penicillium digitatum, P. expansum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. rolfsii, S. minor, Fusarium graminearum, Myrothecium verrucaria, Corynespora cassiicola, Erwinia psidii, Colletotrichum musae, Alternaria carthami, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizopus stolonifer and Macrophomina phaseolina). The concentration of Cc-EO (0.4 mg/mL) inhibited 100% of the mycelium growth of seven strains, equal to the fungicide fluazinam, which was used as a positive control. Elemicin showed antifungal activity against all fungi at all concentrations under investigation (above 50%). A strong allelopathic effect was recorded for Cc-EO and elemicin at the dose of 0.28 mg/mL, with the almost total inhibition of germination. This study revealed, for the first time, the strong and remarkable fungicidal and allelopathic effects of Cc-EO and elemicin, an important finding for the agrochemical field.

Solid Formulation of <em>Trichoderma virens</em> for the Management of Banana Anthracnose Caused by<em> Colletotrichum musae</em>

Trichoderma spp. widely used as biocontrol agents for controllin g a wide range of plant diseases. Banana anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae is a prominent, widely distributed postharvest disease. This study was carried ou t to assess the effectiveness of locally isolated Trichoderma virens against C. musae and the mass producti on of T. virens using locally available, low-cost solid substrates. T. virens was tested for the inhibition of C. musae isolate in -vitro and in-vivo by dual plating and inoculating into two varieties of ripened banana: Kolikuttu and Cavendish, respectively. For mass production, T. virens was inoculated into different solid substrates including scraped coconut waste, sawdust, tea waste, seeds from rice, finger millet, and maize, dried pieces of water hyacinth plant, paddy straw, and Panicum maximum leaves; regularly taken spore co unts (cfu/g) and checked for viability by plating after 12 weeks of storage. The pathogen inhibition percentag e by T. virens was 74.10%. Disease severity was 0% in Kolikuttu and 19% in Cavendish after 5 days of T. virens spore appli cation (1x107 spores/ml). Significantly higher (p≤0.05) mean spore production resulted in rice seeds (9.345x109 spores/g) compared to the other substrates and the least resulted in sawdust (1.808x109 spores/g) at the 8th week after T. virens inoculation. Spores of T. virens were viable in all the tested substrates throughout the study period. The results conclude that T. virens is capable of controlling banana anthracnose and can be efficiently mass-produced by using rice seeds, dried pieces of P. maximum leaves, and f inger millet seeds as substrates.

Comparative Evaluation of Different Biocontrol Agents against Anthracnose of Nendran Banana Caused by Colletotrichum musae

India is the largest producer of banana in the world. Nendran, a French plantain, is the most important banana cultivar in Kerala. It is mainly affected by many diseases both in the field and after harvest. Being a freshly consumed fruit crop there are a lot of limitations in using chemicals for its disease control. Keeping this view, a study was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to control anthracnose, a serious post harvest disease under tropical conditions. In this study comparative evaluation of three fungal biocontrol agents namely [Trichoderma sp. (KAU), Trichoderma sp. (TRPN-3), Trichoderma sp. (TRKR-2)] and bacterial biocontrol agents [Pseudomonas fluorescens (PN026), Bacillus sp. (B15), Bacillus sp. (B17)] were tested against Colletotrichum musae. Among the fungal biocontrol agents maximum mycelial growth inhibition was recorded with Trichoderma sp. (KAU) (77.44%) followed by Trichoderma sp. (TRKR-2) (77.11%). Minimum mycelial growth inhibition was recorded in P.fluorescens (PN026) (55.33%). Based on the results reveals that Trichoderma sp. (KAU) is a highly promising biocontrol agent for managing anthracnose of banana.

Control in vitro e in vivo de Thielaviopsis paradoxa y Colletotrichum musae con biofungicidas en frutos de banano orgánico

Piura es la región con mayor producción de banano orgánico en el Perú; sin embargo, la enfermedad post cosecha de la pudrición de la corona ha generado grandes pérdidas económicas. Por lo cual, se planteó los siguientes objetivos: evaluar la eficacia de biofungicidas in vitro e in vivo para el control de esta enfermedad. Los productos usados fueron: extracto de orégano, ácido cítrico; ácido ascórbico, bioflavonoides; biofertilizante y aceite del árbol de té. In vitro se utilizó el método del “medio envenenado”. In vivo, se inocularon a frutos con suspensiones de conidias a 1 x 104 UFC mL-1 de los fitopatógenos Thielaviopsis paradoxa y Colletotrichum musae. Se prepararon los biofungicidas según la dosis comercial. Se aplicaron los productos y se inocularon los hongos con asperjadores manuales. Los clústeres de banano con tratamiento se embalaron en cajas de cartón de 18,4 kg y fueron embaladas incubándose a 13 °C durante 18 días y 4 días en cámara de maduración con gas etileno. En in vitro los biofungicidas: extracto de orégano (1450 ppm) y ácido cítrico (2825 ppm) obtuvieron 100% inhibición en el crecimiento del micelio de T. paradoxa y C. musae. En in vivo los frutos el menor índice de severidad lo fue para el biofungicida extracto de cítricos (4275 ppm) registrándose 0,0% frente a T. paradoxa y C. musae.

Four New Isocoumarins from the Mangrove Fungus Alternaria Malorum with Antimicrobial Activities.

Four new isocoumarins, alternariethers A-C (1-3) and alternariester (4) were separated from the fermentation of the fungus Alternaria malorum FL39, purified from Myoporum bontioides. Their structures were ascertained using NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopy. For compound 4, the absolute configuration was solved with the help of ECD calculation and the DP4+ method. Compared with the positive control triadimefon, compound 1 showed more potent antifungal effects on Colletotrichum musae. The antifungal effects of compounds 1, 2, and 3 on Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium graminearum, of compound 4 on F. oxysporum, were equal to those of triadimefon. Except for compound 4 which was inactive against Escherichia coli with O78 serotype, all compounds showed moderate or weak antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and E. coli with O6 or O78 serotype.

Biocontrol efficiency and potential mechanism of streptomyces distatochromogenes XT34 against postharvest anthracnose caused by colletotrichum musae on banana fruit

Banana anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae is a serious postharvest disease. Use of fungicides has potential adverse effects on the environment safety and human health. Application of biological control agents (BCA) is a promising strategy for managing postharvest fruit diseases. In this study, Streptomyces sp. XT34 was isolated from the banana rhizosphere soil and exhibited a strong antifungal activity against C. musae. Combining the phenotypic and whole-genomic alignment, strain XT34 was identified as Streptomyces diastatochromogenes. Strain XT34 extracts reduced the disease incidence of anthracnose and maintained the fruit quality of banana. Treatment of extracts reduced the colonization of C. musae on fruit surface. The activity inhibition of cell wall-degrading enzymes maintained the cell-wall strength of fruit. The activity increase of defense enzymes contributed to the low disease symptom. It was supported by the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to supramolecular fiber organization and flavonoid biosynthesis. In addition, spore germination of C. musae was effectively inhibited by extracts. The morphology of mycelia and spore become wrinkled and ruptured. The treatment of extracts increased the optical density of A260 and soluble sugar and protein contents of C. musae. The integrity of cell membrane was also destroyed, reflecting on an increase in electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde. Several metabolites were found in the genome of strain XT34 using antiSMASH. Eleven volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Notably, strain XT34 and extracts exhibited a broad-spectrum antifungal activity against eight phytopathogenic fungi. Hence, S. diastatochromogenes XT34 provides a potential BCA to control banana anthracnose.

Effects of the Species and Growth Stage on the Antioxidant and Antifungal Capacities, Polyphenol Contents, and Volatile Profiles of Bamboo Leaves

Bamboo leaves contain high concentrations of various biologically active compounds, such as polyphenols and volatiles, making them attractive as raw resources for antioxidant additives in the food industry. Here, we investigated the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of four bamboo leaf extracts from two species (Phyllostachys edulis and Chimonocalamus delicatus) at two growth stages (first and second years). Antioxidant capacity was determined based on the radical-scavenging capacity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+). We also assessed the antifungal capacity based on mycelial growth inhibition of Colletotrichum musae (C. musae), Botrytis cinerea (B. cinereain), and Alternaria alternata (A. alternata). Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed that the TPC was significantly (p < 0.01) negatively correlated with the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations against DPPH and ABTS+, whereas the TFC was positively correlated with C. musae and B. cinereain growth inhibition, which suggest that TPC and TFC might be the major contributors to the antioxidant and antifungal capacities of bamboo leaves, respectively. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of bamboo leaves were also analyzed using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry. The VOCs included twenty-four aldehydes, eleven alcohols, four furans, seven esters, fifteen terpenes, three ketones, one pyrazine, and thirty unidentified compounds. Principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were performed to assess the differences in the volatile profiles of the four bamboo leaf samples, from which 23 discriminatory VOCs with variable importance in the projection values > 1 were screened, and part of them were impacted by species or growth stage. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the use of bamboo leaves.

Control of crown rot with potassium carbonate in banana cv. Enano Gigante

AbstractThe postharvest antifungal activity of potassium carbonate (PC) against crown rot (CR) was investigated in banana cv. Enano Gigante by artificially inoculating with Colletotrichum musae (Cm) and incubating at 25 ± 1°C for 7 days. PC treatments were tested by in vitro and in vivo primary experiments. The in vivo preliminary concentration of 175 mM PC was selected as the most effective and was used in subsequent experiments on the influence of dip temperature on the effectiveness of PC. Curative dip treatments of 175 mM PC at 40°C for 20 min applied alone or combined with low doses of thiabendazole (TBZ) were evaluated on CR. Finally, the effect of PC on banana fruit quality was determined. PC at 150 and 200 mM totally inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germination of Cm. In in vivo primary experiments, 175 mM PC significantly reduced both the incidence (33.3% reduction) and the severity (90.5% reduction) of CR, but only in curative treatments. When the 175 mM PC dip for 20 min was tested at different temperatures, the curative dip at 40°C was the most effective, reducing CR incidence and severity by 91.6% and 98.8%, respectively, and was used for subsequent experiments. PC combined with TBZ at 225 μL L−1 did not improve the curative control effectiveness on CR compared to PC alone. PC did not affect the quality of banana fruit.

Symptomatology and Morpho-Cultural Characterization of Colletotrichum musae, a Causal Agent of Anthracnose Disease in Banana

The study focused on the identification and characterization of Colletotrichum musae as a significant post-harvest fungal pathogen causing anthracnose disease in bananas. Symptoms included sunken, water-soaked spots on infected tissues, leading to soft, red-brown to black-coloured spots with irregular shapes. The pathogen was isolated and cultured on Potato dextrose agar medium, and its pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating healthy banana fruits, resulting in typical anthracnose-like spots. Cultural characteristics of C. musae on PDA revealed whitish to black colonies, and microscopic examination showed oblong to cylindrical, single-celled conidia. Acervuli, which were salmon-coloured initially and later turned dark brown to black, were observed on the lesions. The fungus exhibited maximum growth and sporulation on PDA, followed by oat meal agar and Richard’s agar. Additionally, the study highlighted the morphological features of C. musae, including septate, irregularly branched, and vacuolated mycelium. The findings contribute to understanding the pathology and characteristics of C. musae, providing valuable information for managing post-harvest anthracnose in bananas.

Saprobe Fungi from the southern Amazon: in vitro phytopathogen control

Fungi play a pivotal role as nature's primary decomposers, thriving in diverse environments, particularly in soil and decaying organic matter. They contribute significantly to the renewal and recycling of materials, making a substantial impact on sustainable development. While research on saprophytic fungi in tropical regions has predominantly centered around South America, there is necessary to intensify studies in the Amazon region. This area remains relatively unexplored and is believed to harbor a greater biodiversity of species compared to temperate regions. Of notable importance agronomic field is the potential for saprophytic fungi to serve as novel biocontrol agents and resistance inducers. This study aimed to assess the capabilities of saprophytic fungi native to southern Amazonia in vitro, specifically in their ability to combat phytopathogens like Colletotrichum truncatum (LU2), Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium solani, Fusarium sp., Aspergillus clavatus, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Rhizoctonia solani. The evaluation encompassed direct confrontation, sporulation, quantification of sclerodes and microsclerodes, the mycelial growth rate index (MGRI), and the percentage of inhibition. The saprophytic fungi employed in the study, Beltrania rhombica, Brachysporiella sp., Dictyochaeta sp., and Gonytrichum sp., demonstrated a significant impact in direct confrontation. These fungi exhibited varying degrees of growth inhibition against A. clavatus, C. truncatum (LU2), C. musae, and F. udum, with notes from 1 to 2. The results underscore their efficiency as promising antagonists to phytopathogens. In conclusion, the saprophytic fungi under investigation exhibit substantial potential in the control of these plant pathogens.

Encapsulation of thymol and limonene in metal–organic frameworks for inhibition of Colletotrichum musae growth

SummaryMonoterpenes are the most prevalent compounds found in essential oils. They exhibit inhibitory actions against phytopathogenic postharvest fungi. Direct application limits their effectiveness due to their instability, high volatility, hydrophobicity and susceptibility to degradation. Encapsulation systems using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been developed to maximise their use. In this study, four protocols were shown to encapsulate thymol and limonene in porous solids, such as ZIF‐8, UiO‐66‐(COOH)2 and zeolite 13X. Vapourisation and diffusion at 60 °C for 16 h was found to be the most efficient encapsulation process. A larger amount of thymol than limonene was loaded in the porous solids. Thymol released from MOFs slowed down the growth of Colletotrichum musae by up to 6 days at 25 °C. There was a sustained release of thymol even beyond the period of maximum fungal growth. This proof‐of‐concept study revealed the potential utility of MOFs as carriers of thymol against postharvest fungi.

Phenyllactic acid treatment for controlling anthracnose disease (Colletotrichum musae) and preserving banana fruit quality during storage

Banana is considered climacteric fruit that undergoes rapid post-harvest senescence, making it highly susceptible to diseases such as anthracnose, leading to a decline in quality. To address this issue, researchers investigated the effects of phenyllactic acid (PLA), a novel natural bio-preservative with broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, on banana fruit after harvesting. The study revealed that PLA treatment resulted in improved attributes of postharvest quality, including reduced changes in peel color, soluble solids concentration, and firmness. Additionally, respiratory rate, ethylene release, and disease index were significantly decreased, indicating that the fruit's physiological processes were better regulated. Furthermore, PLA treatment enhanced the activity of disease-resistant enzymes β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase, and upregulated the expression of pathogenesis-related genes. Importantly, PLA demonstrated its efficacy in suppressing the growth of anthracnose-causing fungi (Colletotrichum musae) and reducing disease severity on harvested fruit. In conclusion, PLA treatment shows promise as a new approach to maintain the freshness and quality of harvested banana fruit by reducing disease development, regulating physiological processes, and enhancing disease resistance mechanisms.

GC-MS profiling and antifungal activities of Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract against fungal pathogens of crown rot disease of banana

The increasing demand for organic agricultural products especially among the elite stimulated the search for safe and alternative means of crown rot disease control. Morinda citrifolia is one of the listed medicinal plants among the Polynesian countries. This study documented the phytochemical profile of M. citrifolia using GC-MS and their antifungal activities against crown rot pathogens. The key phytochemical constituents of the extract were Phytol 2-Hexadecen-1-ol, (Diterpene) (25.96%), Squalene (Triterpene) (15.13%), 1, 3-Propanediol (Polyphenol) (4.68%), Pyran-4-one 4H-, 9 (Flavonoid), and 2H-1-Benzopyran-6-ol (Vitamins) (5.14%), 2-Cyclohexan-1-one, (Phenol) (2.54%). Fungal pathogens; Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum musae, Colletotrichum asianum and Fussarium Longipes isolated from crown rot infected banana fruits during earlier studies were used in this experiment. The poisoned food technique method was adopted in evaluating the inhibitory effect of the leaf extract against the fungal isolates. Results indicated significantly high fungal growth inhibition (P< 0.05) in concentration dependent manner on amended PDA media. 100% pathogen radial growth inhibition in all isolates was recorded at 100 mg/mL concentration. Therefore, findings of this study suggest application of leaf extract of M. citrifolia is a potential safe and alternative control of banana crown rot.

Decoding the Multifaceted Potential of Artemisia monosperma: Comprehensive Insights into Allelopathy, Antimicrobial Activity, and Phytochemical Profile for Sustainable Agriculture

Weeds present a significant hazard to crop production, necessitating the development of effective and sustainable strategies for weed management. Although synthetic herbicides are effective, concerns about their environmental and health impact have been raised. This study investigates the allelopathic potential, antimicrobial activity, and phytochemical profile of Artemisia monosperma. Extracts from A. monosperma proficiently impede the growth of Chenopodium murale and Amaranthus viridis, while exhibiting varying effects on crops Solanum lycopersicum and Cucumis sativus. Leaf and seed extracts demonstrate the most significant inhibition of weed growth. Interestingly, the leaf extract at a concentration of 50% inhibited weed growth in pot experiments without affecting crop growth. Moreover, extracts from A. monosperma exhibit noteworthy antifungal and antibacterial activity, with the root extract demonstrating the strongest inhibition. The root extract inhibited the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum musae by 63% as compared to control. The leaf extract exhibited the highest levels of phenolic acids, in particular gallic acid, amounting to 116.30 ppm. This study emphasizes the multifaceted potential of A. monosperma as a sustainable solution for weed management and proposes its use in crop protection. Further investigation of its practical applications and optimization of extraction methods can aid in its integration into contemporary agricultural systems, promoting both crop yield and environmental sustainability.

Virulence, inulinolytic potency and biological control of fungi associated with banana leaf blight disease

A leaf blight disease is the widespread infection of bananas in tropical and subtropical regions. Early symptoms included irregular, tiny, necrotic lesions ranging in colour from pale grey to black-brown, mainly affecting the top three to five leaves. Necrotic and withering leaves indicated severe infection. Thirty-one fungal isolates were isolated from 30 samples of symptomatic banana leaves, collected from the field, on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. The initial morphological identification of the isolates was confirmed using a molecular technique that involved amplifying the genes of β-tubulin for all collected isolates and cytochrome b for AspergillusNigri group. The pathogenicity test and re-isolation of the pathogen were done to confirm Koch's postulates. Light microscope and scanning electron microscopy were applied to notice the mycological infections in tested banana leaves. All collected isolates were evaluated to inulinase activity. Phytopathogenic fungi were biologically controlled by using four antagonistic fungal strains, Aspergillus flavipes, Phoma sp., Epicoccumpurpurascens and Verticilliumalbo-atrum. The results indicated that eighteen species represented by thirty-one isolates were recorded by phylogenetic analysis. Achroiostachys levigata (AEMC2 and 3) and Colletotrichum musae (AEMC16) exhibited pathogenic activity with highly virulent range (+++) and produced leaf lesions with 15–18.66 mm. Eighteen strains of banana leaf blight fungi were inulinase producers with variable proficiencies. The highest activity, 148.02667 U/ml was verified by Epicoccum nigrum (AEMC20). Phytopathogenic fungal growth was significantly suppressed by Epicoccum purpurascens and Aspergillus flavipes with maximum repression percentage of 50%. Therefore, biological control can be used to reduce the usage of chemical fungicides against leaf blight disease-caused fungi.