Comparative Study on the Incidence of White Mold (<i>Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum</i>) on Stored Carrot within Two Markets in the Tamale Metropolis of Northern Region

Abstract

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is predominant among other fungi species responsible for rot of several crops on the field and in storage. It results in an important economic loss in stored carrot roots and other economic important crops and vegetables. This makes Sclerotinia sclerotiorum a polyphagous fungus. S. sclerotiorum is a cosmopolitan fungus that affects most crops and vegetables in the tropics and temperate regions. The study was conducted to determine the incidence of S. sclerotiorum in stored carrots within the two major markets (Tamale central and Aboabo) of the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern region of Ghana. Fifteen (15) carrot samples each were collected from the two markets and from different storage containers (storage in sack, basket and pan). Four different fungi species were isolated from the carrot samples. These were Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus. The total incidence of fungi species among the two markets showed significant difference (P < 0.05). S. sclerotiorum recorded varied occurrences across the two markets with the highest incidence recorded in the Tamale Central market (44.4%). S. sclerotiorum was predominant in carrots from the markets than the other fungi. The incidence of S. sclerotiorum varied in different storage containers. Storage using sack recorded the highest incidence (70.0%) of S. sclerotiorum followed by storage using pan (32.7%) with the lowest incidence recorded in storage using basket (24.0%). However, S. sclerotiorum was found to be associated with carrots from the two markets studied. Hence appropriate storage containers such as storage using baskets are recommended as a way of combating the high incidences of S. sclerotiorum.