Microorganisms asssociated with postharvest spoilage of yams

Abstract

This study isolated the microorganisms causing major spoilage of yams collected during a two-year period from various markets in Orissa, India. Seven fungal and two bacterial species (Erwinia sp. and Serratia sp.) were isolated from rotted yam tubers. Aspergillus awamori, A. versicolor, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium solani, Penicillium decumbens and P. purpurogenum caused primal), dry rot while Rhizopus oryzae and Serratia sp. caused primary soft rot. Erwinia sp. was responsible for the secondary soft rot. The nature of the fungal rot was dependent on secondary infection by Erwinia: soft or wet rot when there was secondary infection by Erwinia sp, and dry rot when there was none.