Stem-end rot (SER) is one of the most frequently occurring postharvest diseases of mango fruit grown in the Mediterranean climate, and it is caused by a variety of fungal pathogens. The main cause of SER in Israel is Lasiodiplodia theobromae, which is not effectively controlled by the current fungicides.
Scientists of Agricultural Research Organization (ARO-Volcani, Israel) have assessed the efficacy of different fungicides, especially of two commercial fungicides (fludioxonil and prochloraz) on controlling postharvest decay of mango. The objective of the study was to find potential alternatives to control postharvest SER on mango fruit.
According to in vitro tests, Fludioxonil resulted to be significantly more effective in inhibiting L. theobromae mycelial growth and conidial germination. Subsequent treatments with fludioxonil resulted also significantly more effective than prochloraz in controlling SER of mango inoculated with L. theobromae.
"Both fungicides controlled decay, mainly Alternaria alternata, of mango fruit with similar efficiency. However, fludioxonil treatments significantly changed the stem end microbiome community and reduced SER incidence and severity in fruit relative to similar treatments with prochloraz. We suggest fludioxonil as a potential postharvest treatment to control mango fruit decay in areas when harvesting during a dry season," the scientists report.
Source: Sonia Diskin, Tom Sharir, Oleg Feygenberg, Dalia Maurer, Noam Alkan, 'Fludioxonil – A potential alternative for postharvest disease control in mango fruit', 2019, Crop Protection, Vol. 124.