Article Abstract

Volume 31, No. (4), 2021 (August)
GEOSTATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TOMATO FRUIT ROT AND DIVERSITY OF ASSOCIATED FUNGAL SPECIES
A. Hussain1, S. W. Khan2, S. Ali1, F. Faiz1, M. Hussain1, A. Ali1, Shams Ur Rahman3 and S. Qasim1

1Department of Agriculture and Food Technology Karakoram International University Gilgit

2Department of Biological Sciences Karakoram International University Gilgit

3Department of Mathematical Sciences Karakoram International University Gilgit

Corresponding Author: azhar.hussain@kiu.edu.pk
Page Number(s): 1007-1014
Published Online First: December 15, 2020
Publication Date: December 15, 2020
ABSTRACT

Tomato fruit rot caused by fungi is the most common postharvest problem. The fungi are responsible for spoilage of produce between harvest and consumption. This study analyzed the distribution of tomato fruit rot using descriptive as well as geostatistical techniques and diversity of associated fungal species. Descriptive statistics indicated that the rot incidence and severity ranged from 10.22-44.17% and 0.7 - 7.10 mm. Geostatistical techniques were used to predict the spatial dependency class. Results revealed that rot incidence data had a nugget/ sill ratio of 0.487 inferring moderate spatial dependence, whereas severity inferring weak spatial dependence with nugget/ sill ratio of 0.221. Furthermore, geostatistical analysis was also applied to examine spatial variability within-field using semivariogram and kriged mapsThe maps of current study showed spatial distribution of rot incidence and severity in the study area. These digital maps will be helpful to develop pre- and post-harvest management strategies against tomato fruit rot. A total of nine fungal species were isolated from infected tomato fruit namely; Geotrichum candidum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Bipolaris, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Culvularia lunata and Penicillum digitatumAspergillus flavus was dominating species (17.02%) followed by Fusarium oxysporum (14.89%) and Alternaria alternata (12.76%), while Culvularia lunata has the least occurrence (6.38%).This study provides information about post-harvest rotting fungi of tomato to the growers, extension workers and researchers in the district Gilgit.

Keywords: Tomato rot, distribution, GIS, geostatistics, associated fungi, Gilgit-Baltistan

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Journal Impact Factor: 0.5 | (JCR Year: 2025) | Cite Score: 1.3

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Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

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