Control Apple Fruit Fungi Using a Green Biocide Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)
El-Sayed, M. EmbabyHazaa, M.M., Enas, E. Elwan, Kh. A. El-Dougdoug, Othman, M.
Abstract:
Apple (Malus Domestica Borkh.) is an important fruit which is widely cultivated in the world and also in Egypt. Rotting and decay of the apples were observed regularly. Isolation of associated fungi from apple fruits was carried out on potato dextrose agar medium (PDA). Total seven fungal pathogens were isolated from decayed fruits. They were Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium sp., Penicillium expansum, Botryodiplodia theobromae and Rhizopus stolonifer. Apple fruit spoilage was most severe under humid environment and was enhanced by wounds on fruit surfaces. Pathogenicity test was carried out and revealed that all isolates proved pathogenic when artificially inoculated into healthy apple fruits. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) extract is an effective a green biocide (bio-fungicide) against the growth of fungi and spore viability.