Mango Anthracnose Control

Symptoms

Caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Small dark sunken spots appear on leaves, flowers and young fruit. Flower panicles blacken and die back, reducing fruit set. On ripening and stored fruit, round black sunken rot spots spread rapidly, especially in wet weather.

Damage

Anthracnose is a major cause of pre and post harvest mango loss. Blossom blight cuts fruit set, while fruit rot appears during ripening after harvest, causing heavy spoilage in transit and storage. Losses are severe in humid coastal regions and rainy flowering seasons.

Organic & cultural control

Prune and burn dead twigs and old infected panicles to remove the fungus source. Keep the canopy open for fast drying after rain or dew. A post harvest hot water dip of fruit at about fifty two degrees Celsius for five minutes reduces storage rot. Sprays of Trichoderma or copper based bio formulations help in mild cases.

Chemical control

Protective copper fungicides sprayed from the start of flowering at regular intervals limit blossom and fruit infection; systemic fungicides such as carbendazim or azoxystrobin are used where pressure is high, rotating groups to avoid resistance. Always read and follow the label, observe the pre-harvest interval, and consult your KVK or agronomist before spraying.

Always follow the product label, the recommended pre-harvest interval, and your local KVK or agronomist. Pesticide approvals change, so verify before use.

Prevention

Plant tolerant varieties where available and give wide spacing. Prune annually and remove fallen leaves and mummified fruit. Avoid overhead irrigation that wets foliage. Harvest at correct maturity, handle fruit gently to avoid wounds, and cool fruit quickly to slow rot development in storage.