Efficacy of Turmeric Powder in Inhibiting Mango Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Abstract

Mango is an important economic crop in Thailand and can be cultivated in all regions of the country. The five major production areas are Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Suphan Buri, Phetchabun, and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. Mango is consumed domestically and exported in both fresh and processed forms. However, mango production is often affected by diseases and insect pests. One of the most economically important diseases is anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Most farmers use chemical fungicides for disease control due to their effectiveness; however, continuous use can lead to chemical residues in produce and the environment. Nowadays, biological methods for plant disease control are becoming increasingly important to reduce chemical use, especially using plant extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric powder in inhibiting the growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) mixed with turmeric powder at concentrations of 0, 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, and 40,000 ppm. The results showed that turmeric powder significantly inhibited the growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The highest inhibition percentage was observed at 40,000 ppm. Increasing concentrations of turmeric powder resulted in greater inhibition of fungal growth. Therefore, the use of turmeric powder for controlling mango anthracnose is a promising approach to reduce the use of chemical fungicides in plant disease management.