Screening of Different Banana Cultivars against Post Harvest Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum musae

Abstract

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae is a destructive postharvest disease of banana that reduces fruit quality, shelf life, and marketability. This study evaluated the responses of five commercially important banana cultivars to anthracnose under artificial inoculation conditions. Healthy mature-green fruits of Chiniya, Singapuri, Malbhog, Robusta, and Grand Naine (G-9) were inoculated with actively growing mycelium of C. musae using the pin-prick method and incubated under conditions favourable for disease development. Disease severity was assessed using a 0–5 rating scale, and the Percent Disease Index (PDI) was recorded at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after inoculation. Disease progression was quantified using the Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC), and cultivar differences were analysed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. All cultivars developed characteristic anthracnose symptoms, but the onset and progression of disease differed significantly. Robusta recorded the highest AUDPC value (464.5), followed by G-9 (401.3) and Malbhog (339.7), indicating comparatively rapid disease development. Singapuri and Chiniya recorded lower AUDPC values of 246.4 and 199.8, respectively, and showed slower symptom progression. None of the cultivars exhibited complete resistance to C. musae. The findings demonstrate cultivar-dependent variation in susceptibility and indicate that Chiniya and Singapuri were relatively less susceptible under the laboratory conditions employed. Cultivar selection should therefore be integrated with appropriate postharvest disease management practices to reduce anthracnose-related losses.