Application of Mixtures of Chemical and Biocontrol Agents Against Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) of Citrus and Pathogen Variability in Local Zone

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides cause citrus anthracnose, is a major threat to citrus quality and fruit production worldwide. In the present study, different experiments were designed to check the potential of various chemicals and biocontrol agents (BCA) against C. gloeosporioides and characterize pathogen from core citrus growing regions of citrus in Punjab, Pakistan. Identification of different pathogens and phylogenetic relationship of Colletotrichum spp. was also performed to examine the relationship between isolates. The phylogenetic relationship determined across 16 C. gloeosporioides isolates showed five distinct clades, highlighting the importance of genetic variation among isolates. Pathogens were identified on the base of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region. During survey the disease incidence on fruits and leaves were identified and C. gloeosporioides found to be the most prevalent pathogens. Integrated management was done using BCA (Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride) and the synthetic combined fungicide (Cymoxanil+Mancozeb) under field conditions. Results revealed that, T. harzianum with T. viride and Cymoxanil+Mancozeb gave maximum inhibition against C. gloeosporioides and enhance plant performance under field conditions. In conclusion, the BCA (T. harzianum and T. viride) and the Cymoxanil+Mancozeb could be a better strategy to mitigate the heavy loss of citrus fruit due to anthracnose disease.