Isolation and identification of fungal pathogens of post-harvest rot of tomato fruit in Biu Markets, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State

Abstract

Tomato is considered as the most important vegetable crop in the world after potato. However, production losses in post-harvest tomato are caused by damages that occur during harvesting, handling which are caused by various micro-organisms, the most destructive of which are fungi and bacteria. Survey for incidence and severity of post-harvest rot of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was conducted in three different markets in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. All the data obtained were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD). Biu main market showed rot incidence of 89 %; General hospital market had rot incidence of 87 % and Lashe money market had the highest percentage rot incidence of 90%. Eight fungal species were isolated and identified as Aspergillus flavus, Basidiobolus ranarum, Bipolaris spicifera, Chaetomium globosum, Mallesezia furfur, Nigrospera sphaerica, Rhizopus microsporous and Rhizopus oryzae. The most frequent fungus was Rhizopus microsporus (23.10 %). The pathogenicity test carried out showed Chaetomium globosum, Mallesezia furfur and Rhizopus oryzae were the most virulent of the other test organisms, with the highest mean rot percentage (73 %). Based on the findings in this study, it is recommended that further research be carried out on the effect of fungal infection on the nutritional value of tomato fruits and to reduce fungal pathogens infection by genetically engineering the tomato fruits to produce thick exocarp.