Antifungal Activity In Vitro and In Vivo of Mesquite Extract (Prosopis glandulosa) Against Phytopathogenic Fungi

Fungi are the primary infectious agents in plant crops and many post-harvest fungal diseases of fruit and vegetables causing significant economic losses worldwide. Here, the antifungal effect ofProsopis glandulosaextract (PgE) against phytopathogenic fungi was evaluated. The effect withPgE (5, 4, 2, 1, 0%) as AI (%) and radial growth rate reduction (K-r%) were determined in vitro inColletotrichum gloeosporoides, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus oryzaeandR. stolonifer(1 x 10(5)spores/mL). The phytopathogenicity of fungal strains was performed under in vivo conditions (room temperature, 25-30 degrees C and refrigeration, similar to 4 degrees C) by fruit surface inoculation method on strawberries, tomatoes and carrots by recording the development of mycelial growth, necrosis, soft rot and dehydration symptoms showed on each fruit at 14 days. The extract (5%) showed the highest AI againstC. gloesporioides(similar to 96%), andF. oxysporum(similar to 79%) and growth rate reduction of 74.92% and 64.82% respectively. Likewise, the extract controls the development of phytopathogenicity symptoms againstC. gloesporioidesandF. oxysporumin vivo conditions, nevertheless, was less efficiency against bothRhizopusspecies. TheP. glandulosaextract represents an efficient, economical, and eco-friendly alternative to preserve the quality of the agricultural products and to increase their shelf life.