POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT OF ANTHRACNOSE OF BANANA (Musa spp.)

Abstract

An investigation was carried out on post-harvest diseases of banana and evaluates the efficacy of some selected chemicals, botanicals and hot water treatment against the pathogen. The experiment was conducted in in vitro condition. In this study, the antifungal activity of six fungicides and hot water treatment were tested under in-vitro condition against C. gloeosporioides. The results of present study showed that three fungicides (Tilt 250 EC, Autostin 50 WDG, Rovral 50 WP) at 500 and 1000 ppm concentrations significantly checked the fungal growth. The lowest mycelial growth (1.10 cm) was found in case of Tilt 250 EC at 1000 ppm concentration at six day after inoculation. The lowest severity (2.50%) of banana was recorded in case of the same fungicide at same concentration (1000 ppm) and the reduction of infection was (97.08%) over control. On the other hand, hot water treatment of banana had significant effect in controlling anthracnose of banana over control. The severity of the disease gradually decreased with the increase of water temperature and came to the minimum infection (4.25%) at 55 o C temperature treated for 5 minutes. Application of Tilt 250 EC (1000 ppm) and 55 0 C temperature for 5 minutes proved effective in management of anthracnose diseases of banana.