Management of postharvest fruit rot of mango caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes

Postharvest rot caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a major limitation in 'Alphonso' mango production in humid tropics of India. Fungicides alone or in combination with hot water are recommended for effective reduction of the disease. Considering limitations of these measures, Biosafe, a surfactant containing hydrogen peroxide with nano-silver, was tested for postharvest fruit dip treatment. It was revealed that Biosafe was equally as effective as Carbendazim (0.1%) when fruit were allowed to ripen at ambient temperature. At low temperature of ripening (13±1°C), the effect of Biosafe was highly synergistic. Among different doses of Biosafe, fruit dip in 4 mL L^-1 Biosafe for 5 min followed by storage of treated fruit at low temperature (13±1°C) for ripening was the most significant treatment reducing anthracnose severity by almost 100%.