Control of Ceratocystis paradoxa causing point-end rot disease on salak fruit with clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmanii) oil vapour in vitro

Abstract Salak is an indigenous Indonesian fruit susceptible to point-end rot disease. Disease control during storage is crucial to maintain the quality of the fruit until it reaches consumers. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cinnamon ( Cinnamomum burmanii ) and clove ( Syzygium aromaticum ) oil vapour in controlling the causal agent of point-end rot on salak. Morphological identification of pathogenic fungi causing point-rot disease was carried out by observing macroscopic and microscopic morphology using a 40x magnification microscope. Genomic DNA amplification of isolates was using Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) primers 1 and 4. The assay with vapour exposure was using three concentrations (4, 8, and 12 µl) of cinnamon and clove oil, respectively and without essential oil, with four replicates and 3 Petri dishes as treatment units. The parameter was percent of mycelial growth, diameter of colony and fungal viability. The result showed that based on morphological and molecular characterization of the SB1 sample, the pathogen could be classified as C. paradoxa . Clove and cinnamon oil vapours with concentrations ranging from 4 µl can inhibit the growth of C. paradoxa fungi in vitro. The lowest fungal viability was when exposed to clove and cinnamon essential oils with 12 µl and 8 µl, respectively.