Evaluation of Antifungal Properties of Botanicals in Green Mould of Citrus

Narola Pongener; Hijam Meronbala Devi

Narola Pongener Department of Plant Pathology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus -797106
Hijam Meronbala Devi Department of Plant Pathology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus -797106

Keywords: Penicillium digitatum, citrus, management botanicals, Allium sativum, green mould.

Abstract

The most economically important post harvest disease in citrus is considered to
be Green mould disease of citrus caused by Penicillium digitatum. In an attempt to explore
the possibilities to develop effective post harvest management practices and keeping in mind
the harmful effects of the use of chemicals ten botanicals viz. Azadiracta indica, Capsicum
annum, Eucalyptus citriodora Hoch., Zingiber officinalis, Allium sativum, Murrya koenigii,
Bacopa onneiri, Zanthoxylum oxiphyllum DC., Allium cepa and Mentha piperita L. were
screened under in vitro and in vivo conditions for their inhibitory action on the mycelial
growth of Penicillium digitatum. Among the botanicals screened, Allium sativum recorded
maximum per cent inhibition (76.89%) at 15% concentration which was followed by
Capsicum annum (68.94%) at 15% concentration. Three best anti-fungal activity plant crude
extracts based on in vitro screening results were evaluated to check their efficacy under in
vivo, viz., Allium sativum, Mentha piperita and Capsicum annum against Penicillium
digitatum under pre inoculated and post inoculated conditions. It was found that A. sativum
recorded the least disease incidence with PDI of 24.67% and 34.67% under pre inoculated
and post inoculated condition followed by Mentha piperita recording PDI of 28.00% and
34.00% under pre inoculated and post inoculated conditions.