Determination of Fungi Associated with Potato Spoilage: A Review Paper

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Food security is the most important and valuable sector in the world. As such this work reviewed the most challenging problems associated with potato production. 

Fungi associated with spoilage of Irish potato tubers were investigated and isolated. The following fungi; Alternata alternaria, Aspergillus candidus, A. fumigatoides, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium herbarum, Currularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, F. oxysporium, F. roseolum, F. solani-tuberosi, Mortierella wolfii, Mucor pusillus, Myceliopthora thermophila, R. stolonifer, Rhizophus oryzae, Pennicilium chrysogenum, Paecilmyces variotii, Rhizopus nigricans, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Trichothecium roseum and Ulacladium chartarum were isolated from rotted tubers. Rhizopus stolonifer has the highest percentage occurrence followed by Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata has the least percentage frequency.

The pathogenicity test revealed that R. stolonifer is the most virulent followed by F. oxysporum while M. racemosus is the least virulent fungus. The use of good storage facilities, adequate control measures and improved Irish potato varieties should be encouraged in order to reduce spoilage of stored Irish potato tubers.

By so doing food security in the world will not only Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa will be a forgotten issue.

Keywords: Potato tubers, fungi, storage, rots, markets, prevention, challenging, security.