Antimicrobial Activity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Isolates from Mango (Mangifera indica) and Its Implications for Anthracnose Disease Management

Abstract Anthracnose disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, severely affects mango (Mangifera indica) production. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of various microbes, phytoextract and bioenzymes against C. gloeosporioides. The pathogen was isolated from leaves and fruits of mango trees in Amsaur village, Pauri, Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Cultivation of C. gloeosporioides on different media allowed us to observe distinct cultural characteristics, including colony colour, elevation type, and growth pattern. The ideal growth conditions were found to be a temperature of 25°C and a pH of approximately 6. Our study evaluated the inhibitory effects of various microbial agents for biocontrol against C. gloeosporioides. Among these, Pseudomonas fluorescens exhibited a substantial inhibitory effect, with an impressive zone of inhibition measuring approximately 25 mm. Additionally, the extract derived from nettle grass demonstrated significant inhibitory activity, with a zone measuring approximately 20 mm. Notably, bioenzymes prepared from lemon peel exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic fungus. These bioenzymes, produced from fruit waste, offer a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to managing anthracnose disease in mango plants. the biology of C. gloeosporioides and exploring effective biocontrol agents can contribute to mitigating the impact of anthracnose disease in mango production.