Post harvest quality of mango fruits ( Mangifera indica L.) inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and treated with plant extracts

Using plant extracts (EV) to control plant diseases has increased in the last few years and its application is an important alternative in fresh fruits consumption. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of applicating EV of ′nim′ ( Azadirachta indica ), ′flor escondida′ ( Phyllanthus niruri ), ′algodón de seda′ ( Calotropis procera ), ′orégano silvestre′ ( Lippia origanoides ), ′mata ratón′ ( Gliricidia sepium ) and ′rabo de alacrán′ ( Heliotropium indicum ) on mango ( Mangifera indica ) fruit quality at postharvest. Physiologically mature fruits were inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and placed in a completely random design with four replicates and 13 treatments of the different EV; water was used as a control treatment. Results showed that physic variables: polar and equatorial diameter, fresh matter loss as well as the chemical variables were not significantly affected by the presence of the fungus neither the EV application; although fresh matter tended to diminish in time. As maturity process progressed, total soluble solids (SST) and SST/Acidity relation increased, while acidity values diminished. Appearance of EV treated fruits was less affected by the presence of C. gloeosporioides, compared to the control. In conclusion, mango fruits quality seems no to be affected by using plant extracts to control anthracnose. El uso de los extractos vegetales (EV) en el control de enfermedades ha tomado auge en los últimos años y su aplicación constituye una alternativa importante en frutas para consumo fresco. En este sentido, el objetivo de esta investigación consistió en determinar el efecto de la aplicación de los EV de Azadirachta indica , Phyllanthus niruri , Calotropis procera , Lippia origanoides , Gliricidia sepium y Heliotropium indicum sobre la calidad de frutas de mango ( Mangifera indica L.) durante la poscosecha. En la determinación del efecto de los EV sobre las variables físicas y químicas, se utilizaron frutos de mango 'bocado' inoculados con Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , cosechados en estado de madurez fisiológica, organizados en un diseño completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones y 13 tratamientos con los diferentes extractos, utilizando como testigo, frutos sin inocular inmersos en agua destilada. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que las variables físicas: diámetro polar, ecuatorial y la pérdida de masa fresca, así como, las variables químicas no se vieron afectados significativamente por la presenc