Manejo da antracnose do cajueiro anão precoce com óleos essenciais e extrato etanólico

Abstract

Cashew cultivation is widespread throughout much of Brazil. However, it holds significant socioeconomic importance in the Northeast region due to several factors, including climate. Problems caused by diseases (anthracnose and powdery mildew) have led to severe losses in the crop. Market demands for reduced use of chemical products in fruits and vegetables increasingly encourage the use of alternative post-harvest control methods. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the control of *Colletotrichum gloeosporioides* (Penz. Sacc.) using alternative methods. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and respective controls. Twelve plants, approximately three years old, were randomly selected. Six plants received essential oils of oregano, Java citronella, and pine on ¾ of the canopy (¼ for each oil), keeping ¼ as a control. In the remaining treatments, 1/4 of the plant was treated with clove ethanol extract, and the other 1/4 was reserved as a control. The solutions used consisted of a mixture of 2 mL to 2 L of water when using essential oils, and 10 mL to 2 L when using the ethanol extract. All treatments were visually effective when compared to the control. The essential oils of Java citronella, pine, and oregano, and the clove ethanol extract proved effective in controlling anthracnose, causing no damage to other parts of the plant and/or other components of interest in the environment.