Managing anthracnose in mangoes

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and occasionally C. acutatum) is the major fungal disease of mangoes. Anthracnose can cause significant postharvest losses and can ruin an otherwise high quality crop.
The disease lifecycle The critical stages for infection in mangoes are flowering and early fruit development. Anthracnose spores are harboured in dead leaves and twigs, which are washed onto the flowers or fruit by rainfall, dew or irrigation. In the presence of free water the spores germinate and infect leaves, flowers and fruit. Refer to Figure 1 on the lifecycle of anthracnose in mangoes
FIGURE 1: Anthracnose lifecycle
Source: Rowland Holmes, Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Octave Octave is highly effective against anthracnose blossom blight in mangoes. The active ingredient of Octave, prochloraz, possesses locally systemic properties and has strong contact and some translaminar mobility. It therefore exhibits both protectant and eradicant activity. Where conditions favour disease development, the strategic use of Octave will help to ensure optimum fruit set and pack-out. When to use Octave Octave should only be used over the flowering period from first pink flower to fruit set (thumbnail size fruit). Apply on a 3 to 4 week schedule, using the shorter interval when weather conditions favour disease development. How to get the Best out of Octave While Octave offers 2-3 days kick-back (eradicant) activity, it should be applied preventatively, prior to or soon after infection. For longer residual control and as a part of a resistance management strategy, Octave must be applied in a mixture with mancozeb. Apply the mixture using high volume spray equipment or low volume misters ensuring thorough coverage of blossoms. Spray volumes will vary depending on age and size of the trees. Bayer CropScience Contacts
Tony Fitzgerald Horticulture Area Manager Far North Qld Mobile: 0418 226 529 Tim Murphy Horticulture Area Manager Burdekin/Mackay Mobile: 0408 772 405 Tony McDermott Horticulture Area Manager Wide bay/Burnett Mobile: 0417 221 421 Tim OGrady Horticulture Area Manager Northern NSW Mobile: 0419 533 994 Chris Themsen Horticulture Support Manager Mobile: 0408 768 593 Mitchell Faint RDS Far North Qld Mobile: 0408 264 539 Pat English RDS Burdekin/Mackay Mobile: 0417 404 966 Rob Vitelli RDS Wide bay/Burnett Mobile: 0419 495 101 Don Biffin RDS Northern NSW Mobile: 0417 370 798 Maree Scherer Technical Information Co-ordinator Phone: 1800 804 479

If wet weather prevails during flowering, the disease can build up causing severe blossom blight destroying inflorescences and reducing fruit set. Developing fruit that are infected may show symptoms soon after infection, or the infection may become latent meaning that symptoms do not develop until after harvest, as the fruit ripen. Postharvest symptoms of anthracnose are sunken black spots, (see Figure 2) which appear on the surface of the fruit during ripening.
FIGURE 2: Anthracnose disease symptoms
Source: Rowland Holmes, Queensland Department of Primary Industries

ANTHRACNOSE SPRAY PROGRAM FOR MANGOES

Bud initation

Bud swelling

Early flowering

Mid flowering

Late flowering

Fruit set

Copper hydroxide / Mancozeb

OCTAVE

+ MANCOZEB
Amistar *

NOTES: 1: Early flowering is a critical application timing for the prevention of anthracnose. 2: This program is a guide for controlling anthracnose during the flowering and early fruit set period. 3: Further applications of protectant fungicides will be required leading up to harvest.
Octave is a registered trademark of Bayer. Amistar* is a registered trademark.

www.bayercropscience.com.au Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd ABN 87 000 226 022 391 - 393 Tooronga Rd. East Hawthorn Vic 3123. Telephone: 03 9248 6888 Facsimile: 03 9248 6800

The information and recommendations set out in this brochure are based on tests and data believed to be reliable at the time of publication. Results may vary, as the use and application of the products is beyond our control and may be subject to climatic, geographical or biological variables, and/or developed resistance. Any product referred to in this brochure must be used strictly as directed, and in accordance with all instructions appearing on the label for that product and in other applicable reference material. So far as it is lawfully able to do so, Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility for loss or damage arising from failure to follow such directions and instructions.