Bioefficacy of Phytoextracts in Controlling Post-Harvest Blue Mould Rot (Penicillium italicum) of Kinnow (Citrus deliciosa) Fruits

摘要

Post-harvest fruit losses in Kinnow (Citrus deliciosa) occurred mainly due to mycobial decay. Blue mould rot incited by Penicillium italicum (ITCC ID No. 6424.06) was the most prominent post-harvest fruit rots in Kinnow. We evaluated the fungitoxic properties of some indigenous medicinal and aromatic plant extracts against mycelial growth of the P. italicum under in vitro conditions and those found promising against the pathogen were further explored for bioefficacy in controlling the blue mould rot. In general, all aqueous phytoextracts showed antifungal activity against the pathogen and with an increase in the concentration of extracts, a progressive decrease in mycelial growth was observed. The extract of Eucalyptus amygdalina significantly inhibited (80%) mycelial growth of the pathogen. The extracts of Allium sativum and Lawsonia inermis suppressed the growth by 60 and 54%, respectively over control. In pre- and post-inoculation treatments, dipping of fruits in extract of E. amygdalina (15%) was found as the most effective treatment in reducing rot incidence (73-76%). The next best was A. sativum extract which gave 68-72% protection against the fruit rot incidence. The extract of L. inermis also reduced the incidence of 64-69% in pre- and post-inoculation treatments. Moreover, fruit rot incidence was positively influenced by incubation period as the incidence at 6 days after inoculation (DAI) was significantly higher than that recorded on 3DAI.