Assessment of potential antagonists for anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) disease of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in North Western Ethiopia (Pawe)

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indicaL.) is considered as one of the most popular fruits among millions of people in the tropical area and increasingly in the developed countries. Anthracnose, caused by the fungusColletotrichum gloeosporioides, is the most important pre- and post-harvest disease of mango. The objective of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of different promising antagonistic Trichoderma and Bacillusspp. on phyloplane of mango in Ethiopia and to evaluate their antagonistic potential against the pathogen. A total of 19 mango fields were surveyed and anthracnose affected allfields. Culture studies on potato dextrose agar for evaluation of antibiosis activity ofTrichodermaspp. and Bacillusspp. revealed that they have inhibitory and lytic effect on C. gloeosporioides, which is an indication of their potential biocontrol agent for management of mango anthracnose as an alternative to chemical control. Significant differences (p< 0.05) were observed amongBacillus isolates in causing lysis of pathogen mycelium, when inoculated on actively growing colony ofC. gloeosporioides. Maximum reduction in growth rate of pathogen was observed withBacillusspp. (B50), which restricted the growth to 2.7 mm compared to 8.3 mm in the control with 67.5% efficacies. There were similar effects (p< 0.05) among Trichoderma spp. in formation of inhibition zones and lysis by varying degrees up to 59.7% efficacies in reducing linear growth of the pathogen in dual culture.