Corymbia citriodora hydrolate in the control of anthracnose disease (Colletotrichum fructicola) on papaya fruit

• Grant number: 24/22186-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Maria Candida de Godoy Gasparoto
• Grantee: Julia Midori Meira Nakamura
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus do Vale do Ribeira. Registro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The papaya crop is affected by several phytosanitary problems that can cause significant losses to the production. Papaya anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum fructicola, is one of the most important diseases that affects this crop. The main method of the disease control is the preventive application of fungicides in commercial orchards, as well as postharvest treatments that vary according to the production destination: domestic market or export. Alternative methods to control anthracnose should be evaluated in search of more sustainable agriculture. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the antifungal role of hydrolates, which are byproducts generated from the industrial extraction of aromatic plants during the production of essential oils. Currently, these secondary products are generated in large volume (90L of hydrolate to each 1L of essential oil), and they are considered waste in many industries. The present study aims to evaluate the postharvest control of anthracnose on papaya fruits preventively treated with Corymbia citriodora hydrolate. Additionally, the effect of this hydrolate will be evaluated on the physicochemical characteristics of the fruits.