Eco-friendly Management of Aspergillus Rot of Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Aspergillus niger was found to be predominantly associated with Aspergillus rot of pomegranate in orchard as well as after harvest and storage but in storage Aspergillus niger cause severe damage due to favorable conditions. Therefore, Three fungicides, two antifungal agent and three plant extracts were evaluated for their efficacy against both isolate of Aspergillus niger in vitro and one contact fungicide (mancozeb), two antifungal agent and three botanicals were used in fruit dip treatment. Mancozeb at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent inhibited the maximum mycelial growth of both the isolates as 100 per cent at all three concentrations followed by chlorine water that caused 100 per cent inhibition at 4 per cent and 6 percent concentration while boric acid least effective and the botanical extracts of neem oil and ginger (rhizome extract) at 4 and 6 per cent concentration were effective in vitro while garlic extract was lest effective compare with neem oil and ginger extacts. When evaluated by fruit dip method for injured inoculated fruits under laboratory condition, Mancozeb at all three concentration and chlorine water at 6% concentration were effective in reducing fruit rot followed by boric acid. The botanical extracts (neem oil and ginger) were effective against A. niger in fruit dip treatment at 4 and 6 per cent concentration, respectively.