Antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants and induction of defense related compounds in banana fruits cv. Robusta against crown rot pathogens

[Display omitted] ► Aqueous leaf extract of Zimmu exhibited complete inhibition of crown rot pathogens under in vitro. ► Zimmu leaf extract resulted in complete control of crown rot disease up to 35days in cold storage. ► This treatment did not alter the organoleptic properties of banana fruits. ► Bananas treated with Zimmu leaf extract resulted in accumulation of defense related compounds. A total of 72 plant extracts were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the mycelial growth of Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum musae the causal agents of crown rot disease of banana. The results showed that the leaf extract of Zimmu (an interspecific hybrid of Allium cepa L.×Allium sativum L.) and tuber extract of Zehneria scabra recorded maximum inhibition of mycelial growth and spore germination of both the test pathogens. The dipping of banana fruits in Zimmu leaf extract at 25% conc. exhibited 100% inhibition of crown rot disease in cold storage (14°C) up to 35days and increased the shelf life to 64days. However, at room storage (28±2°C), the same treatment exhibited 86% inhibition of crown rot disease up to 12days. It was found that the treatment of banana fruits with Zimmu leaf extract did not alter the organoleptic properties of banana. The biochemical analysis of banana fruits treated with Zimmu leaf extract showed significant increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities and enhanced accumulation of phenolic compounds compared to other treatments. These findings suggest that the effect of Zimmu leaf extract on crown rot disease may be associated with the direct fungi toxic property against the test pathogens and elicitation of defense related compounds in banana fruits.