Probiotics as a Biocontrol Agent in Management of Post Harvest Diseases of Mango

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the most important horticultural crop in Maharashtra as well as in India. However, this crop is well acclimatized to tropical and subtropical climatic regions. Post harvest losses caused by micro organisms are reported as from 30 to 35% losses with reduction in quality and quantity of marketable fruits and accounts for millions of dollars in perishable produce every year. Over the years, the plant protection was achieved by use of synthetic chemicals. However, use of probiotics for control of post harvest diseases has taken momentum in recent years in management of post harvest plant pathogens. The post harvest pathogens like Colletotrichum, Alternaria, Aspergillus, can be checked by post harvest probiotic sprays. Which include use of commercial probiotics (Prowel,Flora and Vbact) and Probiotic isolates, which are isolated and cultured from curd, fermented dosa material, fermented jowar and bajra flour.

The studies on use of probiotics in the management of post-harvest diseases of mango conducted at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeet, Rahuri, Ahmednagar during the period 2017-2019. suggest that the post-harvest pathogens particularly Colletotrichum, Alternaria can be managed as a post-harvest pathogen by sprays of probiotics under in-vitro conditions when the load of inoculums of these post-harvest pathogens are less on the fruits and the probiotic spray resulted in increase in the TSS (Total Soluble Sugars) brix (0.8-3.2) in the fruits and also be used to increase the shelf life of the fruits and to keep them as fresh for long time. The efficacy of probiotics against post-harvested pathogens indicates that probiotics can be used in management of post harvest diseases and they can form an integral part of organic farming system.