Effect of plant extracts on spore germination and severity of post harvest rots of fruits

Abstract

Due to the environmental pollution, residue in soil water and food materials and effect on non-target organism, the  use of chemical fungicides for disease management is being discouraged in the present day crop production. The opening up of the global economy has enhanced the possibility of fruit-export. The fruit-exporting countries have strict  requirements to meet health standards. These requirements have adversely affected the fungicide application on harvested  fruits. Fortunately, the search for alternative treatments has yielded positive results with heat, plant extracts, radiation and  some chemicals. Of these strategies, the use of plant extracts has proved safer and effective against certain diseases of  harvested fruits. This investigation reports findings on efficacy of leaf extracts of Tulsi , Sadabahar , Parthenium ,  Turmeric and Ginger against important fruit rots of mango and citrus fruits. Application of leaf extract of Tulsi (10%)  reduced disease severity and spore germination of Rhizopus rot, Penicillium rot and Botryodiplodia rot of mango and citrus  fruits.