Use of vegetable oils in the control of Colletotrichum sp. in banana fruits

Anthracnose is a disease caused by the fungus of the genus Colletotrichum. It is considered an important post-harvest disease in fruits of banana (Musa sp.) which depreciates the commercial value of the fruit. The use of vegetable oils to control fungal growth and disease progression in plants is an important alternative to minimize the deleterious effects of toxic chemicals. Studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of the vegetable oils of murumuru (Astrocaryum sp.), andiroba (Carapa guianensis) and copaiba (Copaifera sp.) in vitro on the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum sp. The fungus Colletotrichum sp. was isolated from banana fruits. The treatments including control (mycelial growth in culture medium without the presence of oil) and vegetable oils (murumuru, andiroba and copaiba) at dosages of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 μL.mL-1 were applied. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), in a 3x6 factorial scheme (3 oils x 5 concentrations + 1 control), with five replications. Copaiba oil (Copaifera sp.) had a higher mycelial inhibition percentage (MIP) with a dose of 150 μL.mL-1 (65.56%). As for murumuru oil, a higher percentage of inhibition was also obtained in the concentration of 150 μL.mL-1 (46.44%) and the andiroba oil had a greater inhibitory effect in the concentration of 200 μL.mL-1 (34.89%). The results showed that only the copaiba oil, at all concentrations tested, had an inhibitory effect on Colletotrichum sp. Copaiba oil, therefore, is recommended for the control of phytopathogenic diseases caused by Colletotrichum sp. Key words: Alternative control, anthracnose, crop protection, fungal diseases, Musa sp.