IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS OF POSTHARVEST WET ROT OF SWEET MELON FRUITS

Identification and control of fungal pathogens of postharvest wet rot of sweet melon fruit (Cucumis melo) was conducted using methanol extracts of ash obtained from burning dried maize cob, Moringa oleifera and Khaya senegalensis root extracts as control treatments. The experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD), each treatment was replicated three times at 20%, 40%, and 60% concentration levels. Data collected was analyzed using ANOVA as statistical tool, and means were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). The fungi that were isolated from rotten sweet melon fruits include: Aspergillus niger, Pseudallescheria boydii, and Neosartorya pseudofischeri. The Pathogenicity test results indicated that all the isolated fungi were pathogenic on sweet melon fruits, however, A. niger was the most virulent of the other test organisms because it had the highest  mean rot diameter of (282mm) followed by Pseudallescheria boydii with (266mm) and Neosartorya pseudofischeri had (236mm).

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