The Inhibitory Efficacy of <italic>Bacillus velezensis</italic> Against Mango Anthracnose and Its Influence on Fruit Fresh Preservation

INTRODUCTION: Anthracnose, primarily caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a main disease affecting mangoes, leading to significant postharvest losses by deteriorating fruit quality and reducing shelf life. RATIONALE: Addressing postharvest anthracnose is a critical challenge in the mango industry. Biological control methods, such as utilizing antagonistic bacteria, offer sustainable alternatives to chemical treatments. This study investigates the efficacy of Bacillus velezensis in inhibiting C. gloeosporioides and its potential in preserving mango fruit quality. RESULTS: The application of B. velezensis culture filtrate (CF) effectively inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. At CF concentrations of 2% and 4%, mycelial inhibition rates were 75.18% and 80.96%, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that both bacterial suspension (CB) and CF treatments significantly reduced lesion expansion on mangoes, with inhibition rates of 44.33% and 65.00%, respectively. Treated fruits exhibited a slower decrease in titratable acids and maintained higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids, indicating delayed ripening and extended shelf life. CONCLUSION: B. velezensis exhibits strong antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides, effectively controlling mango anthracnose and preserving fruit quality. Its application as a biocontrol agent holds promise for sustainable postharvest management in mango production. Mechanism of biological control of Bacillus velezensis