Alternative control of passion fruit anthracnose (Passiflora edulis Sims.) with essential oil and white pitch hydrolate (Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) March.)

Abstract

The overuse of agrochemicals in the agricultural production systems stimulated the search for
measures and practices less aggressive to the environment and humans. The aim of this pape
is to evaluate the antifungal potential of the essential oil and hydrolate of the white pitch (Protium
heptaphyllum) to control Colletotrichum sp., causal agent of passion fruit anthracnose.
The assay included concentrations of 100; 500; 1250 and 2250 μg.mL-1, obtained after addition
of the treatments in potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) medium. Control consisted of fungus growth
only in PDA. The design was completely randomized (CRD), in a factorial scheme, with four
replications. The average diameter of the colonies was evaluated during five days. White pitch
oil was more efficient in reducing the mycelial growth of the phytopathogen when compared to
the hydrolate.