Control of anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides s.l.) on mango in Senegal by fungicides and biofungicides

Mango production in the South of Senegal is exposed to intensive rainfall from late May to October, with high temperature and moisture levels. These conditions are conducive for the development of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (sensu lato) and produce a need for adequate control measures. Anthracnose disease causes preand postharvest fruit spots, fruit rot, and premature fruit drop. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacies of several fungicide alternatives (fertilizers and biological control agents) against anthracnose of mango in Senegal and compare with those of standard fungicides. In three southern trials, Sonata (Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808), Serenade Optimum (Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713), and sodium molybdate provided 63%, 67% and 76% control of disease severity, respectively, whereas thiophanate methyl and azoxystrobin provided 77% and 78% control, respectively. Disease severities of all treatments were significantly lower than that of the control. Thiophanate methyl and azoxystrobin produced more disease-free mangoes (64 and 62%, respectively) than Serenade (49%), sodium molybdate (44%), and Sonata (38%). Differences within each trial were not statistically significant, but when all trials were combined, all treatments resulted in significantly more disease-free mangoes than the control. Among treatments, thiophanate methyl and azoxystrobin resulted in significantly more disease-free mangoes than Sonata. No results were obtained in the northern orchards due to an absence of disease development.