Effective Treatment Strategies for Mango Anthracnose

Anthracnose of mango is a chronic and severe disease affecting mango growers globally, with substantial yield reducing impact predominantly in the areas with humid and rainfall rich climate . This saprotrophic fungal pathogen attacks leaves, stems, flowers and fruits causing black dots, fruit rot and decrease crop yield due to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.New chemical based anthracnose treatments for this disease may not be effective any longer for organic farmers, who are seeking green solutions to their problem.lly in humid and rainy regions. This fungal infection, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, attacks leaves, stems, flowers, and fruit, leading to black spots, fruit rot, and reduced yield. Traditional chemical anthracnose   treatments may no longer be sustainable for organic farmers who are seeking eco-friendly alternatives. Introduce biofungicides such as Trianum Shield belongs to the class of the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum. This solution is revolutionizing the way farmers manage and protect their mango orchards, all while embracing organic anthracnose control practices.

Read on the blog to know more about anthracnose cure.

A Story from the Field: Rajesh’s Mango Farm

Rajesh, a hardworking ordinary farmer who grows mangoes in the konkan region of India had been plagued by outbreaks of anthracnose of mangoes. Each of his trees yielded nice, juicy mangoes of splendid size as soon as the season came; but the disease came with the arrival of the rainy season. His losses were mounting, and traditional fungicides were only partially effective. In 2023, Rajesh decided to shift to mango anthracnose organic treatment. However, he still needed a robust solution for anthracnose on mango. This is where Trianum Shield came into the picture.

Trianum Shield is a Novobac product, a biocontrol solution containing Trichoderma harzianum, a fungus targeting harmful fungi and bacteria. Rajesh learned about Trianum Shield through a local agricultural cooperative society focused on promoting natural farming methods. The society supports farmers by introducing eco-friendly products like Trianum Shield to reduce dependence on chemical treatments. This cooperative helps farmers transition to sustainable farming, ensuring crop health through biological solutions like Trichoderma harzianum. I had recently started training farmers to use biological controls, and Rajesh was eager to try something new.

Understanding Anthracnose of Mango

Mango anthracnose starts with the anthracnose leaf spot, small circular, dark brown or black in color. These spots become bigger as the disease advances and the fruit turns bad even before it ripens. It is contracted through contact with contaminated water and affects people more often in the rainy season when conditions are warm and wet.

Rajesh’s first step was learning how to properly identify the disease early. Anthracnose can sometimes be mistaken for other fungal infections, but the key identifiers are:

• Small, black or brown lesions on the fruit, which later grow larger and merge.
• Spots on leaves that appear water-soaked before turning necrotic.
• The appearance of spore masses on infected parts under humid conditions.

Anthracnose Symptoms

Mango Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, presents distinctive symptoms that significantly affect different mango tree parts. Dark brown or black lesions develop on the underside of leaves, often surrounded by a light yellow halo. As the disease progresses, the spots enlarge, causing leaf blighting and premature leaf drop, damaging the tree’s health. Infected mango fruits first show small black or brown spots, which grow into large, sunken necrotic areas over time. Humid conditions promote pink-orange spore masses in infected areas, reducing fruit quality and marketability during harvest. Anthracnose also damages young shoots and flowers, resulting in poor fruit setting and reduced overall mango production.

Step-by-Step Approach to Treat Anthracnose on Mango with Trianum Shield

Once Rajesh had a clear picture of the disease then it was time for action. The introduction of Trianum Shield (best fungicide for anthracnose) into his farming practice followed these steps:

1. Early Disease Detection and Pruning:

The first check that was implemented was pulling up the plant parts that had signs of the fungus in a bid to minimize its spread. Hence, Rajesh removed all the affected leaves, branches and fruits scrupulously and dumped them out of his range of planted trees.

2. Preparing the Biofungicide:

I know how to mix and apply Trianum Shield, as Rajesh learned from his experienced seniors. The bioagent used, Trichoderma harzianum, forms a mutualistic relationship with the plant, enhancing its defenses. Trichoderma competes with pathogenic microorganisms for nutrients, providing an effective protective barrier for the plant. It may also directly parasitize the anthracnose fungus, further reducing its harmful impact on mango crops.

It has to be diluted with water to be used as a spray solution for example.

3. Applying Trianum Shield:

Rajesh applied the solution in the morning, ensuring thorough coverage of the leaves and fruit surfaces. It’s essential to spray all plant surfaces, especially the lower leaf surfaces where spores often hide. For optimal results, fungicide applications should begin at the start of the rainy season for better protection. Continue applying the fungicide every 10-15 days to maintain consistent coverage and control of the disease.

4. Improving Soil Health:

Trichoderma harzianum has the added advantage of improving the status of the soil in which the plants are grown. It avails nutrients in the soil, stimulates root development and provides the plant organism with a measure of resistance to stress. Rajesh realized that when he used Trianum Shield for two seasons, not only where the trees becoming healthier, but productivity was also improving.

5. Complementary Practices:

Apart from employing Trianum Shield Rajesh also incorporated other organic anthracnose control practices that enhanced the health of the plants in his orchard. He also tried changing the crop types on the field by practicing crop rotation, better water control in irrigation and applying compost to enrich the soil with organic matter.

Results: Fertilizers make the soil more productive so that it can produce fruits that will help make a healthier and more productive orchard.

At the close of the 2023 season, Rajesh improved his mango production tremendously and realized very healthy returns. Another advantage was that, along with reduced anthracnose frequency, the quality of Rajesh’s mangoes significantly improved. The number of physical imperfections on the fruit decreased, and the relative taste was notably enhanced as well. Switching to organic farming, Rajesh used Trianum Shield, achieving disease control without relying on chemical fungicides. This approach provided an eco-friendly solution, maintaining fruit health while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Why Trianum Shield and Trichoderma harzianum Work

Trianum Shield works through a combination of mechanisms:

• Competition: Trichoderma harzianum outcompetes the anthracnose pathogen by grabbing space and nutrients thus suppressing its establishment.
• Parasitism: It is Piricladicular and positively affects the spores and the mycelium of anthracnose that gradually gets damaged.
• Induced Resistance: Stimulates the plant defense mechanisms, this means that after using Trichoderma for controlling diseases, the plant becomes resistant for similar diseases in future.
• Improved Root Health: This way Trichoderma colonizes the roots, thereby facilitating nutrients uptake, and leading to healthier plants.

Moving Forward: An Opportunity for a Sustainable Individual Mango Farming Future

As the case of Rajesh has demonstrated the biofungicides like Trianum Shield, best fungicide for anthracnos, are already transitioning the strategies of organic farming. With rising demand for organic products, mango growers globally can adopt eco-friendly practices to prevent anthracnose. Reducing reliance on chemical fungicides benefits the environment and enhances the quality for consumers in the long term. Education, intervention by local agricultural cooperatives, and products like Trianum Shield support farmers in transitioning to organic farming. Farmers like Rajesh can continue improving their organic farming practices through sustainable solutions and community-based agricultural support.

Conclusion To Treat Anthracnose of Mango

That is why Mango Anthracnose doesn’t have to be the full-blown disaster for farmers that it can easily be if left unmanaged. Since humans face such a threat, it is logical to manage it with the help of biocontrol methods such as the use of Trianum Shield and observe an increase in the productivity of the orchards. This step by step proposal presents a realistic way to improve the crops health as well as the soil health and a prosperous future for organic farming.

References:

1. Alvindia, Dionisio G. “The antagonistic action of Trichoderma harzianum strain DGA01 against anthracnose-causing pathogen in mango cv.‘Carabao’.” Biocontrol science and technology 28.6 (2018): 591-602.
2. Prabakar, K., et al. “Management of postharvest disease of mango anthracnose incited by Colletotrichum gleosporioides.” Archives of Phytopathology and Plant protection 41.5 (2008): 333-339.