Home⇛Uswag Journal: Philippine Journal of Multidisciplinary Research⇛vol. 2 no. 2 (2024)

Fungal Pathogens and Handling Practices Associated with Rot Diseases during Display and Storage of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) in Virac Public Market, Catanduanes, Philippines

Sharmaine C. Biñas

Discipline: microbiology and cell science

 

Abstract:

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a globally important crop prized for its starchy tuberous roots. However, it is highly susceptible to rot causing fungal pathogens, particularly due to mechanical damage from poor postharvest handling during storage and market display. This study examined the fungal pathogens associated with rot diseases in sweetpotatoes sold at the Virac Public Market, Catanduanes, Philippines March to July 2023. Sixty-six (66) sweetpotatoes were randomly collected and brought to the laboratory. Putative fungal pathogens were isolated using aseptic techniques, and identified based on their morphological characteristics in PDA cultures and through light microscopy. The most common rot symptoms observed include light to dark brown, circular to irregularly shaped, dry and sunken lesions with or without concentric rings, measured an average of 140 mm with white conspicuous white whiskers-like mycelial growth. Predominant pathogens isolated from the advancing margins were putatively identified as Rhizopus sp. (48.3%), Aspergillus sp. RDS-S02 (18.8%), Aspergillus sp. RDS-S03 (6.25%), Aspergillus sp. RDS-S04 (12.5%), and Fusarium sp. (10.3%). Moreover, eleven (11) vendors from purposively selected stalls were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess the vendors’ handling practices during display and storage of sweetpotato. Despite 100% of the vendor are aware of disease symptoms and crop malformations, proper handling practices, particularly during storage and display, were not consistently observed. Local vendors often neglect proper hygiene, which spreads pathogens and causes damage. They also store tuberous roots in warm, humid conditions inside wooden or plastic crates conducive to growth of rot causing fungal pathogens.



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