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Characterization of pathogenic moulds associated with Carica papaya diseases in a research demonstration farm.
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| Author:
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ONIHA MARGARET I, ENI ANGELA.O, AKINNOLA OLAYEMI O, AHUEKWE EZE F, OMONIGBEHIN EMMANUEL A, ADEGBOYE BOSE E
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| Abstract:
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Microbial attacks constitute a significant cause of reduced production of Carica papaya globally due to the
ability of fungi to induce deterioration by the exudation of cell wall degrading enzymes. This study was
conducted to characterise fungal pathogens isolated from Carica papaya diseases. Direct selective and isolation
methods were employed in the isolation of fungal pathogens from fruit, leaf and stem samples collected from
infected papaya in a research farm. Phylogenetic diversity of the isolated fungal sequences was determined
using the Neighbour Joining method. Characterized fungal isolates were screened for their ability to generate
cellulase and pectinase enzymes utilizing the plate screening assay technique. The most frequent isolate was
Aspergillus niger of 29.41% from fruit and stem samples (27.94%) and Geotrichum spp from leaf samples (20.90%).
Fungal strains were genotypically characterised as Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Geotrichum, Fusarium,
Alternaria and Trichoderma. Phylogenetic analysis showed the high evolutionary relatedness of the fungal species
from fruit, leaf and stem clustering into several clades. The highest average zone of hydrolysis for pectinase and
cellulase production was by Rhizopus spp (80.33±2.52mm) and Penicillium spp (66.00±10.00mm) respectively. A
2-way Anova was conducted showed significant variation at the 0.05 level for p=0.001 for cellulase and
p=0.391 for pectinase production respectively. The outcomes of this study further published the role of these
fungi in the degradation of papaya leading to spoilage and consequently reducing its availability for the global
populace. Appropriate fungal identification will assist in subsequent effective treatment for reduction of losses
and improved economic value.
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| Keyword:
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Fungal diseases, Fungal isolates, Carica papaya, Phylogenetic diversity, Cell wall degrading enzymes
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| EOI:
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| DOI:
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https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2021.13.03.098
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| Download:
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