Antagonists of colletotrichum musae associated with banana fruit skin

Abstract

Potential antagonists of C. musae associated with the fruit skin of banana were investigated. The ability of inhibition of C. musae by the above antagonists was tested in vitro and in vivo. Fruit skins of banana, both resistant to anthracnose {var. Seenikehel (ABB)} and highly susceptible to anthracnose {var. Embon (AAA)} were used as the sources of antagonists. Antagonists of C. musae were associated only with the var. Seenikehel. Nine bacterial isolates and a fungus associated with var. Seenikehel showed in vitro inhibition of C. musae. Out of nine bacterial isolates, 6 were identified as non- fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.. Three bacterial isolates, BS1-3, BS1-6 and BS1-12, which showed highest in vitro inhibition were selected for in vivo testing. Application of all bacterial isolates as postharvest dips, significantly reduced the anthracnose development in ripe banana. Repeated isolation confirmed the association of antagonists of C. musae only with the fruit skin of var. Seenikehel.