In vitro and in vivo, biocontrol activity of extracts prepared from Egyptian indigenous medicinal plants for the management of anthracnose of mango fruits

Anthracnose is a very restrictive disease disturbing production, as well as postharvest property of mango fruit in Egypt. Fifteen isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were recovered from mango fruits displayed anthracnose symptoms. PCR assay was achieved in addition to morphological study confirmed that the causative agent of anthracnose in mango fruits is C. gloeosporioides. Anthracnose control of mango fruits by plant extracts was verified. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts prevented the growth of the pathogen in some degrees in vitro. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Plantago sinaica were the strongest on fungal growth than other plants. A qualitative phytochemical investigation of plant extracts from testing plants designated saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenols. Plantago sinaica extract exhibited a higher amount of phenolic compounds than other plants. Analysis of phenolic compounds of Plantago sinaica extract using HPLC showed that ellagic acid represented the highest quantity than other compounds. Electron microscopy showed changes in the ultrastructure of the pathogen hyphae after treatment by Plantago sinaica extract.