Organic fungicide Antica effective against mango diseases

A new organic fungicide developed by a chemical engineer from Cebu is proving to be a promising material for controlling two major mango diseases, namely anthracnose and scab. This is the organic fungicide Antica developed from plant extracts by Gigi Zaballero, a chemical engineer who heads Ahcil Laboratories based in Mandaue City, Cebu. In an experiment conducted at the National Mango Research and Development Center of the Bureau of Plant Industry in Jordan, Guimaras, researchers Y.J. Yonder and R.S. Orquia reported that Antica compares well with a standard inorganic (chemical) fungicide (Amistar) in its effectiveness against anthracnose and scab diseases. The dosage observed to be most effective for Antica is 400 ml per 100 liters of water. A lower rate of 300 ml per 100 liters of water has also been observed to be effective. The solution can be applied on the leaves, the flowers and the fruits.

The researchers said that incidence of anthracnose on flower panicles sprayed with Antica at 22 and 28 days after flower induction was comparable to that of Amistar. The dosages of Antica that produced comparable results were 300 and 400 ml per 100 liters of water. On the other hand, the incidence of scab was lowest in the flower panicles sprayed with Antica (400 ml per 100 liters of water) at 22 and 28 days after flower induction. At 60 to 80 days after flower induction, trees sprayed with Antica at 400 ml per 100 liters of water and Amistar had the lowest severity rating of 11 to 20 percent scab infection on fruits. The researchers report that at fruit setting and retention stage, trees sprayed with Antica at 400 ml per 100 liters of water had protected the developing fruits and retained more with 0.48 per panicle. Trees sprayed with Amistar and Antica at 200 ml and 300 ml per 100 liters of water have also been observed to produce comparable results.

They added that the highest yield obtained from 25 randomly sampled panicles was recorded on Antica at 400 ml per liter of water – 14.5 pieces or 4.09 kilos. Latent infection of anthracnose as 9 days after harvest was observed to be lowest on Antica at 400 ml per 100 liters of water. The mango researchers also reported that Antica did not have any harmful effects on the leaves, flowers and fruits at different stages of flower and fruit development. Therefore, Antica is safe to use on mango. The researchers conclude that Antica organic fungicide at the higher rate of 400 ml per 100 liters of water applied at flowering and fruiting stages of mango could minimize incidence and severity of scab and anthracnose on flower panicles and fruits under Guimaras conditions. However, they recommend that further study be conducted in terms of rate and frequency of application and at different mango growing areas of the country to further verify its potential in controlling anthracnose and scab on mango.