Identify The Efficacy Of Selected Botanicals For Controlling Major Fungal Diseases In Guava

Abstract

Guava is susceptible to diseases: anthracnose, which is caused by Colletotrichum spp, and scab disease, which is caused by Pestalotipsis spp. Anthracnose and scab disease are two major diseases among the post-harvest diseases ofguava. Synthetic fungicides are the main method used to address these diseases. Regarding guavas, the primary issue is the residual toxicity of synthetic fungicides that persist post-harvest, subsequently impacting human health. Plant extracts are used to control a variety of plant diseases as a safer alternative to conventional fungicides. The present investigation was conducted to screen the efficacy of several plant extracts against Colletotrichum spp and Pestalotipsis spp under in vitro conditions. Plant extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Maduruthala), Solanum toruum (Thibbatu), Helianthus annuus (Wild Sunflower), Lantana cqmera (Gandhapana), Phyllanthus emblica (Nelli), Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon), Allium sativum (Garlic) and Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) were prepared by using methanol extraction. plant extract was screened in vitro by the "poisoned food technique". The experiment showed that Tospin fungicide showed the highest growth inhibition, with rc}% results. when considering the botanicals, the highest growth inhibition was observed in methanolic extracts of C. verum extract, followed by A. indica, A. sativum, and S. aromaticum extracts,has a high antifungal potential and can suppress the growth of the guava anthracnose disease pathogen Colletotrichum spp When considering the botanicals, the highest growth inhibition was observed in methanolic extracts of A. sativum and S. aromaticum extracts, followed by A. indica and C. verum extracts, have high antifungal potential, which can inhibit the growth of the guava scab disease pathogen Pestalotipsis spp. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of plant extracts against the causal organisms of anthracnose and scab diseases of guava under in vivo conditions prior to making any recommendation.