PREVALENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS AFFECTING ONION BULBS IN STORAGE.
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Onion bulb rot is a significant post-harvest problem that causes substantial losses to onion crops. This study was conducted to isolate and identify fungal pathogens associated with onion bulb rot in Zungeru Market. A total of 60 onion bulbs (30 red and 30 white) showing symptoms of rot were collected and analyzed using standard mycological techniques. The results revealed the presence of seven fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Sclerotium cepivorum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Candida tropicalis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Aspergillus niger was the most frequently isolated fungus, accounting for 41.7% and 32.5% of the total isolates from red and white onion bulbs, respectively. The findings of this study highlight the importance of fungal pathogens in onion bulb rot and the need for effective disease management strategies to reduce post-harvest losses
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.