Biological treatments for the control of mango postharvest diseases.
Villiers E. E. de, Korsten L.
Author Affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 14 : 48-51
Abstract : Bacillus dip treatments on their own (with or without wax), or in combination with 1/4 strength prochloraz, were compared with prochloraz as control measures for mango postharvest diseases (cultivars Kent and Keitt). The hot water + Bacillus licheniformis followed by wax + 1/4 prochloraz treatment was most effective in reducing soft brown rot (caused by Nattrassia mangiferae) in Kent. This treatment did not differ significantly from the prochloraz treatment, the hot water followed by wax + 1/4 prochloraz treatment, or the 'ambient' water + B. licheniformis dip treatment. The hot water dip followed by wax + 1/4 prochloraz + B. licheniformis treatment was significantly better in reducing anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata]) than the hot water treatment, or the wax + B. subtilis treatment. Wax did not enhance the activity of B. licheniformis. The prochloraz dip treatment reduced soft brown rot in Keitt, although this treatment did not differ significantly from the hot water + B. licheniformis dip treatment, the 'ambient' water + B. licheniformis treatment, the 1/4 prochloraz followed by hot water + B. licheniformis treatment, or the 1/4 prochloraz treatment. Anthracnose following the latter treatment was similar in severity as it was following the 'ambient' water or the hot water dip control treatments. None of the treatments employed significantly reduced anthracnose in Keitt.