Application of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and marine yeasts to control postharvest anthracnose disease in mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Postharvest diseases in fruits cause serious losses of fresh produce worldwide. The application of synthetic fungicides for the control of postharvest diseases such as anthracnose in mangoes can cause adverse effects on the environment and on human and animal health and has generated phytopathogen resistance. Biological control with the application of marine yeasts and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides can be an alternative to prevent anthracnose in Ataulfo mango fruits. The results showed that different doses of ClO2 inhibited the mycelium growth and spore germination of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in vitro . When ClO2 and the marine yeasts Debaryomyces hansenii and Rhodotorula minuta were applied to mango fruits, no signs of anthracnose disease incidence and lesion diameter were observed (LSD, p<0.05). Therefore, the application of ClO2 plus antagonist yeasts provides excellent control of anthracnose disease in Ataulfo mango fruits.