In vitro and In vivo Evaluation of Plant Oils Against AnthracnosePathogen Colletotrichum musae and Botryodiplodia theobromae

The antifungal effects of twelve plant oils were evaluated to control banana anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum musae and Botryodiplodia theobromae. Of these, Ocimum sanctum, Cymbopogan citrates, Cymbopogan martini and Pelargonium graveolens oils completely arrested the mycelial growth of both test pathogens at their lowest concentration compared to other oils. Further, the treatment of banana fruits var. cavendish and rasthali with oils of O. sanctum, C. citratus, C. martini and P. graveolens increased the shelf life of banana fruits without affecting their organoleptic properties and also reduced the rotting incidence when incubated under room temperature.