Food Science and Technology Vol. 4(2), pp. 23 - 30
DOI: 10.13189/fst.2016.040202
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Mycological Deterioration and Pathogenicity Studies of Post-harvest Cassava

Agu Kingsley Chukwuebuka ^1,*, Awah Nsikak Sunday ¹, Okeke Chidi Benjamin ¹, Nwodo Martin Tochukwu ¹, Anaukwu Chika Gladys ¹, Iloanusi Confidence Ada ¹, Archibong, Etim Joseph ¹, Ngenegbo Uche ², Mgbemena Ijeamaka Charity ³, Umeoduagu Nnamdi ^4
1 Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Nigeria
² Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Nigeria
³ Department of Business Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Nigeria
⁴ Department of Microbiology, Tansian University Umunya, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Post-harvest deterioration is the most important cause of loss of cassava (Manihot esculenta) production and this is mainly due to fungal diseases. This research was conducted to identify the major fungi responsible for post-harvest deterioration of cassava. A total of twenty four cassava tubers were harvested from a farm in Okpuno, Awka South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria and used for the study. The weight loss of the tubers were determined. Rot causing fungi were isolated and characterized and the pathogenicity testing of the isolates were performed. Three genera of fungi were identified from the spoilt cassava samples including Fusarium, Aspergillus and Lasiodiplodia. Aspergillus spp. were found to be the chief causal agents of cassava rots. Three species of Aspergillus were isolated viz. Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus sp; two species of Fusarium viz. Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporium were isolated. All the fungi identified were pathogenic to fresh cassava. The percentage severity of rots and percentage weight loss ranged from 115.38% to 145.38% and 7.68% to 25% respectively for both methods.

KEYWORDS
Post-harvest Loss, Cassava, Fungal Rots, Pathogenicity, Percentage Weight Loss

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Agu Kingsley Chukwuebuka , Awah Nsikak Sunday , Okeke Chidi Benjamin , Nwodo Martin Tochukwu , Anaukwu Chika Gladys , Iloanusi Confidence Ada , Archibong, Etim Joseph , Ngenegbo Uche , Mgbemena Ijeamaka Charity , Umeoduagu Nnamdi , "Mycological Deterioration and Pathogenicity Studies of Post-harvest Cassava," Food Science and Technology, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 23 - 30, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/fst.2016.040202.

(b). APA Format:
Agu Kingsley Chukwuebuka , Awah Nsikak Sunday , Okeke Chidi Benjamin , Nwodo Martin Tochukwu , Anaukwu Chika Gladys , Iloanusi Confidence Ada , Archibong, Etim Joseph , Ngenegbo Uche , Mgbemena Ijeamaka Charity , Umeoduagu Nnamdi (2016). Mycological Deterioration and Pathogenicity Studies of Post-harvest Cassava. Food Science and Technology, 4(2), 23 - 30. DOI: 10.13189/fst.2016.040202.