Biocidal activities of Curcuma longa L. against anthracnose of mango fruits caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. and Sacc

This study investigates the biological activities of Curcuma longa L., locally known as “turmeric” against anthracnose of mango fruits caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The results showed that the minimum effective concentration of turmeric crude extract (TCE) was 2.0 g/L, and can be applied as curative, simultaneous and preventative treatment on mango fruits to inhibit the anthracnose infection. TCE also affects the growth and development of C. gloeosporioides by damaging the morphological structure of spores and mycelia. Further, the toxicity of TCE was comparatively superior to conventional synthetic fungicide (Mancozeb 80) in the market terms of potency and efficacy of compound. Twenty-three chemical components were identified in TCE, based on gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis. The four major compounds were as follow: aR-turmerone (50.63%), curlone (15.42%), α-curcumene (6.48%), 3-octanol (5.88%). These present findings support the potential use of turmeric crude extract as an alternative to synthetic fungicide.