Alternative control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with essential oil of araticum (Annona glabra L.) from the Western Amazon

Abstract

Anthracnose, the primary post-harvest disease of bananas, is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This infection occurs in the field and intensifies during fruit ripening, forming lesions that can evolve into large necrotic areas. Concurrently, the excessive use of pesticides in agriculture has exacerbated the potable water crisis, impacting the health of humans and animals. This has spurred national and international entities to develop sustainable agricultural practices, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to ensure water security and value forest products. This study evaluated the in vitro antifungal effect of araticum (Annona glabra) essential oil - extracted from bark, pulp, and seed - on the growth of the phytopathogen C. gloeosporioides. Acidity index, refraction index, and chemical composition were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography and UV-Vis spectrometry. The experiment, conducted in a completely randomized design and a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, tested different oil concentrations (2.5; 5.0; 7.5, and 10 µL), with four repetitions and a control. The results showed that the oils from the pulp and seed have significant fungistatic activity, with 7.5 µL of seed oil inhibiting 80% of the growth of C. gloeosporioides.