Efficacy of Mahogany Bark Aqueous Extracts and Exposure to Solar Heat for Treatment of Potato Tuber Soft Rot Caused by Erwinia Carotovora Ssp. Carotovora

Abstract

Efficacy of Mahogany Bark Aqueous Extracts and Exposure to Solar Heat for Treatment of Potato Tuber Soft Rot Caused byErwinia CarotovoraSsp.CarotovoraThe efficacy of combining tuber treatment with mahogany bark aqueous extracts and exposure to solar heat for the control of potato tuber soft rot was investigated. Artificially inoculated potato tubers were treated with mahogany bark aqueous extracts and exposed to solar heat for zero, one, two and three hours. The results showed that tuber treatment with the plant extract followed by exposure to solar heat significantly reduced the incidence and severity of tuber soft rot compared to the control group. However, the highest reduction in the incidence and severity of the disease was recorded on tubers treated with the plant extract and incubated immediately after treatment (no exposure to solar heat). This suggests that the plant extract is more effective at lower than higher temperatures. Potato tuber losses due to soft rot could therefore be managed by tuber treatment with mahogany bark extract and no exposure to solar heat.