Management of Anthracnose Disease of Aloe vera in Bangladesh

Aims: To identify the causal organisms of anthracnose disease of Aloe vera in Bangladesh and to manage this disease in field condition.

Study Design: The experiment was designed by Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The field experiments were conducted in Natore, Bangladesh and the laboratory experiments were carried out at the Department of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January, 2017 to December, 2018.

Methodology: The causal organism Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was isolated by tissue plating method and identified based on morphological and cultural characteristics and that was confirmed by pathogenicity test. Infested farmer’s fields were selected in rainy season under natural epiphytic condition to evaluate the efficacy of eleven treatments.

Results: Among the treatments, Bordeaux mixture gave best result against this disease. Moreover, Tilt 250 EC and Folicur 25 EC and Garlic bulb extract showed better effect against the disease than the other treatments. Lime also has moderate effect against anthracnose disease of A. vera. In 2017, after 4th spray, the lowest incidence was recorded in Bordeaux mixture (58.33%) which was statistically identical with Folicur (64.58%), Tilt (64.58%) and Garlic bulb extract (66.67%). Similarly, the lowest disease severity was found in Bordeaux mixture (3.55) followed by Folicur (5.67%), Tilt (6.67%) and Garlic bulb extract (7.67%). Similar result also found in 2018. After 4th spray, the lowest incidence was recorded in Bordeaux mixture (38.58%) which was statistically identical with Lime (41.66%) and Garlic bulb extract (45.83%). Similarly, the lowest disease severity was found in Bordeaux mixture (0.20%) followed by Lime (0.25%) and Garlic bulb extract (0.36%).

Conclusion: Garlic bulb extract could be used as eco-friendly approach. Moreover, use of Bordeaux mixture is better than the traditional use of lime. From chemical pesticides, Tilt 250 EC and Folicur 25 EC could be used for controlling the disease as the last option.