Effect of incubation temperature on lesion diameter of Penicillium expansum on apple fruit varieties | IJB

Current research work was conducted to determine impact of various genotypes and heat on shelf life of apple. Study was carried out in vitro. Effect of temperature on lesion diameter of fungal growth in most prominent apple fruit varieties growing in Pakistan was assessed. Four temperature (5, 15, 25 and 35°C) treatments were provided to fruits of each variety after inoculation with spore suspension adjusted at 106spores/ml and growth of P. expansum was measured for 12 days at 3 days interval.

Pathogen showed maximum growth (23mm) at 25°C while minimum (11mm) at 5°C in all varieties and moderate growth was observed at 15°C and 35°C. Golden delicious apple which have thin cuticle and prone to injuries more frequently as compared to other varieties was found most susceptible at all temperatures while Red delicious proved to be the most resistant against growth of pathogen at all temperature sets comparatively.

It was concluded that Red delicious is most resistant against pathogen studied consequently can be saved for longer time without providing extraordinary conditions while Golden delicious apple should be kept in special environment to reduce damage of product after harvesting due to its most susceptibility against blue most disease. Original Articles at: Int. J. Biosci. 12(1), 1-5, January 2018.