Optimizing Micronutrient Supplementation in Mango Orchards for the Suppression of Mango Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)

Abstract

Mango anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a devastating disease that affects mango orchards in Pakistan. Although cultural practices, chemicals, and biological control are commonly used to manage the disease, the potential role of micronutrient deficiencies has been largely overlooked by farmers. In this study, four mango orchards were selected at different sites and treated with combinations of micronutrients, including boron (B), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), applied as a foliar spray and in the soil along with recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) and FYM (farmyard manure). The impact of these treatments on the severity of the disease and fruit yield was assessed by measuring micronutrient levels in the leaves and soil before and after application. Results showed that application of all these three micronutrients significantly reduced disease severity and increased the fruit yield in all orchards. The most effective treatments were observed as H₃BO₃ (0.8%) + CuSO₄ (0.5%) + ZnSO₄ (0.8%) and Borax (200 g plant⁻¹) + ZnSO₄ (400 g plant⁻¹) + CuSO₄ (200 g plant⁻¹), which reduced disease severity up to 26 and 21%, respectively, and yielded up to 392 and 371 kg, respectively. The current study revealed that using micronutrients may be a potential way to reduce mango anthracnose disease in integrated disease management programs.