To evaluate the effect of plant extracts on the growth and the sporulation of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, aqueous extracts from garlic, pippermint, castor bean and pepper were obtained and incorporated into potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) at concentrations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 mg/g. Micelial growth and the conidium production were evaluated in these media. All extracts exhibited inhibitory effect at the concentration of 200 mg/g and above. Garlic extracts inhibited micelial growth in the range of 5.3 to 67.6%, it had, however no effect on sporulation. Peppermint, castor bean and pepper extracts promoted micelium inhibition and reduced the conidium production in the range of 41 to 84%, according to the extract concentrations. It was demonstrated that the different extracts have antifungal activities and that they have a potential use as an alternative control in relation to physical or chemical methods.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; vegetal extract; postharvest