Storage Methods Of Plantain (<i>Musa</i> sp. AAB) Fruits Influenced Occurrence And Severity Of Crown Rot And Anthracnose Diseases

Abstract

The major postharvest rots of Musa species are crown rot and anthracnose. Therefore, the effects of storage methods on the development of these diseases were studied during storage and thereafter. Sawdust amended with 0, 5 and 10% table salt to enhance its moisture absorptive capacity and enclosed in plane, blue, red and yellow polyethylene bags were the storage methods. There were two control treatments comprising fruits sealed in polyethylene without sawdust [Po] and fruits kept on laboratory shelf [LS]. Sample fruits were sealed under ambient laboratory conditions and thereafter opened weekly to assess disease development. Post-storage disease development study utilized green fruits remaining after 3-week MAS in blue and yellow polyethylene. The results showed that about 67% of fruits stored in plane, yellow and red Po were green after two weeks as against only 8% of fruits lined on LS. The inclusion of sawdust/salt hastened senescence and enhanced disease development. Severity of crown rot was generally lowest in blue polyethylene. Also, fruits stored in sawdust impregnated in blue polyethylene had the least occurrence of anthracnose disease after two weeks of storage. Post-storage disease assessment after three weeks of storage showed that fungal growth on fruit peels cultured was lowest on fruits previously stored in yellow polyethylene. The study showed that using yellow polyethylene for storing mature green plantain fruit would enhance its postharvest quality.

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(2) 2005: 169-174