Characterization and Identification of Fungi Associated With the Spoilage of Potato Tubers Sold At Rumuokoro and Mile 3 Market

Abstract

Major fungal diseases affecting Irish and Sweet potato purchased from Rumuokoro and Mile 3 Markets were evaluated. The Potato tubers were selected at random and analyzed using Standard bacteriological plate count method and fungi isolated and identified using cultural methods. The microbial count of fungi isolated and identified from Irish potato obtained from Rumuokoro market, ranged from 1.65x 10⁵-5.3×10⁵ with sample P1 was having the highest count and sample P3 having the lowest counts. The microbial count of fungi isolated from Irish potato obtained from Rumuokoro market ranged from 1.95×10⁵-7.25×10⁵ with sample P5 having the highest count and sample P8 having the lowest count as shown. The analysis showed that there is significant difference of the fungi isolated from Sweet and Irish potato isolated from Rumuokoro with P-value of 5.6x 10⁵±1.0×10⁵ and 5.14 x10⁵ ± 10⁵. There is also significant difference in the Irish Potato and Sweet potato isolated from Rumuokoro market with P-Value of 5.6X 10⁵±1.59×10⁵ and 3.62×10⁵±1.03×10⁵ at 24 degree of freedom. Molds associated with spoilage of Sweet and Irish potato tubers in Mile three and Rumuokoro markets in Obio-Akpor Local Government areas of Rivers State, were Rhizopus sp. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium sp. and Yeast sp. The result obtained shows that the Percentage of occurrence of fungi isolated from Irish potato ranged between 9% to 36% with Aspergillas niger having the highest parentage of occurrence. Followed by Yeast sp which had a percentage occurrence or 27%. Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium sp showed the lowest percentage of occurrence of 19% each. The result obtained shows that the Percentage of occurrence of fungi isolated from Sweet potato ranged from 9% to 36% with Aspergillus niger having the highest percentage of occurrence. Aspergillus Sp. Rhizopus sp showed the lowest percentage occurrence of 9%. It was perceive that the most frequently isolated fungus from spoilt sweet potato tubers in the markets examined were Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger