Environmental Factors Affecting Growth of Pathogenic Fungi Causing Fruit Rot in Tomato

154 Pages·2015·4.43 MB·English

by  Nowsheen Hassan

Environmental factors affecting growth of pathogenic
fungi causing fruit rot in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
and its remediation by plant extracts

Nowsheen Hassan
(2011-351-D)

Division of Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Kashmir

2015
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Environmental factors affecting growth of pathogenic
fungi causing fruit rot in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
and its remediation by plant extracts

Nowsheen Hassan
(2011-351-D)

Thesis
Submitted to
The Faculty of Post-graduate Studies
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and
Technology of Kashmir
in partial fulfilment of requirement for the award of the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences

2015
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Dedicated

To My
Beloved Parents and my Brother
Whose blessings and constant
encouragement have been always with
me throughout my endeavour

3
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Division of Environmental Sciences, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar -
190 025

Certificate – I

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Environmental
factors affecting growth of pathogenic fungi causing fruit rot in
tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and its remediation by plant
extracts” submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental
Sciences, to the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, is a
record of bonafide research work carried out by Ms. Nowsheen
Hassan (Regd. No. 2011-351-D) under my supervision and guidance.
No part of the thesis has been submitted for any other degree or
diploma.
It is further certified that any help or information received
during the course of investigation have duly been acknowledged.

Prof. (Dr.) Shafiq-ur-Rehman
Chairman
Advisory Committee
Endorsed

Prof. & Head,
Division of Environmental Sciences

4
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Division of Environmental Sciences, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-
190 025

Certificate – II

We, the members of the Advisory committee of Ms. Nowsheen
Hassan (Regd. No. 2011-351-D), a candidate for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences, have gone
through the manuscript of the thesis entitled, “Environmental factors
affecting growth of pathogenic fungi causing fruit rot in tomato
(Solanum lycopersicum) and its remediation by plant extracts” and
recommend that it may be submitted by the student in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree.

Advisory Committee

Chairman Prof. (Dr.) Shafiq-ur-Rehman,
Professor & Head, Division of Environmental
Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar

Members
Dr. Haleema Ashraf,
Assistant Professor, Division of Environmental
Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar

Dr. Kausar Parveen,
Associate Professor, Division of Vegetable
Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar

Dr. T.A. Raja,
Associate Professor, Division of Agri-Statistics,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar

Dean’s Nominee Dr. Ali Anwar,
Professor, Division of Plant Pathology,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar
5
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Shalimar Campus, Srinagar – 190 025

Certificate – III

This is to certify that the thesis, “Environmental factors
affecting growth of pathogenic fungi causing fruit rot in tomato
(Solanum lycopersicum) and its remediation by plant extracts”
submitted by Ms. Nowsheen Hassan (Regd. No. 2011-351-D) to the
Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, Sher-e-Kashmir University of
Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences was examined and
approved by the Advisory Committee and external examiner on
………………..

Chairman External Examiner
Advisory Committee

Prof. & Head
Division of Environmental Sciences

Director Education
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar
6
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Division of Environmental Science, Shalimar Campus Srinagar –
190 025

Name of the student : Nowsheen Hassan
Registration No. : 2011-351-D
Major subject : Environmental Science
Minor subjects : Plant Pathology/Vegetable Science
Major advisor : Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman
Professor & Head,
Division of Environmental Science,
SKUAST-Kashmir
Title of the Thesis : “Environmental Factors Affecting Growth
of Pathogenic Fungi Causing Fruit Rot in
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and its
Remediation by Plant Extracts”
ABSTRACT
World losses in the tomato yield can be greatly referred to soil and air
borne pathogens. Fungal pathogens are considered to be one of the highly
damaging agents that cause the reduction of tomato production and after harvest
losses. Among various alternatives, natural plant products that are degradable,
ecologically friendly and readily available products are catching attention of
scientists all over the world. Thus use of plant extracts has shown to be eco-
friendly and effective against many pathogens causing fruit rot and therefore, may
provide environmentally friendly alternative to potent and toxic fungicides. A
number of plant species has been reported to possess active natural substances that
are toxic to several plant pathogenic fungi. Thus keeping the severity of the
diseases in view this study was conducted to test some of commonly available
plant extracts against the fungal pathogens. From the survey of incidence of post
harvest fruit rot of tomato in various markets of district Srinagar conducted during
2012-13 it was observed that the fruit rot of tomato is prevalent in every location
during the period of the survey with varied incidence at different locations and
during different months. Lowest average percent disease incidence was recorded
in the month of January and highest in the month of July. Among various
locations surveyed, highest average annual percent disease incidence was
recorded at Hazratbal and the lowest at Batmaloo. The pathogens isolated from
infected fruit samples were identified as Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger,
Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Phytophthora
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nicotianae. The temperature of 25 °C was best for the growth of Rhizopus
stolonifer, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and
Phytophthora nicotianae while as the temperature of 35 °C was best for the
growth of Aspergillus niger. Maximum growth of Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus
niger, Alternaria alternata was obtained when exposed to alternating light and
alternating dark. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici recorded maximum
growth when exposed to dark. Maximum growth of Phytophthora nicotianae was
observed at twelve hours light. The pH 5.5 was best for the growth of Rhizopus
stolonifer, Aspergillus niger and the pH 6.5 was best for the growth of Alternaria
alternata and Phytophthora nicotianae while as the pH 7.0 was best for the
growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. The in vitro assaying of aqueous
and ethanol extracts of five different plants viz., Allium cepa, Allium sativum,
Curcuma longa, Mentha spicata and Zingiber officinale at different
concentrations revealed that all the tested plant extracts inhibited growth of
pathogenic fungi but Allium sativum has shown best antifungal activity at all the
concentrations both in aqueous and ethanol solvents against all pathogenic fungi.
It was also observed that the effectiveness of extracts increased with the increase
in extract concentration and the maximum inhibition in mycelial growth was
found at highest concentration. However ethanolic plant extracts proved to be
more effective than aqueous plant extracts. The inhibition percentage of extracts
of Allium sativum was followed by the extract of Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale
and Mentha spicata in case of the pathogenic fungi (Phytophthora nicotianae,
Alternaria alternata and Rhizopus stolonifer) whereas Curcuma longa was lowest
inhibitory, against the same pathogenic fungi in both aqueous and ethanol
solvents. The inhibitory effect of extract of Allium sativum was followed by
extract of Zingiber officinale, Allium cepa, Mentha spicata and Curcuma longa in
case of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. However, in case of Aspergillus
niger, the inhibitory effect of extract of Allium sativum was followed by extract of
Zingiber officinale, Allium cepa, Curcuma longa and Mentha spicata in both
aqueous and ethanol solvents. As per quality parameters analysis for various
parameters like total soluble solids, vitamin C, lycopene, acidity and dry matter,
maximum total soluble solids content was obtained in the variety Punjab
chhuhara. The variety Shalimar-II obtained maximum vitamin C content. The
variety Shalimar-I has the highest content of acidity, lycopene and dry matter.
Treatment of infected tomatoes with aqueous and ethanolic garlic extracts were
observed to have more vitamin C and lycopene content as compared to the fruits
of infected untreated (control) sets. Thus it can be concluded that all the test plant
extracts (Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Mentha spicata and
Zingiber officinale) can be better utilized for preservation of raw tomatoes.
Key words: Environmental factors, Fungi, Pathogenic, Plant extracts, Tomato.

Signature of Student Signature of Major Advisor
Dated: ___________ Dated: ______________
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH
A
ll praises to ALLAH, the Creator and Sustainer of Universe, the most
Gracious, Merciful, Compassionate, All-High, All- Glorious, Everlasting
and who has not begotten, nor has been begotten and similar to Him is not
anyone. May peace and blessings be upon PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAW),
His family (RA) and His Companions (RA) to whom I owe my heartiest
salutations who taught us to seek knowledge from the cradle to grave. I bow in
revere to the ALMIGHTY ALLAH (Subhana-Wa-Tallah) for bestowing me
with His choicest blessings, patience and confidence which helped me in
completing this work. My parents deserve an inexpressible appreciation for not
only encouraging me but relieving and nurturing me long way to complete my
Ph.D. programme. Completion of this Doctoral Dissertation was possible with
the support of several people. I would like to thank all those who helped me
directly or indirectly in completion of this work.
It is a matter of great pleasure and privilege for me to extend my deep
sense of gratitude and indebtedness to my Major Advisor Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman,
Professor & Head, Division of Environmental Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir,
Shalimar for his keen interest, concrete suggestions, constructive criticism, polite
behaviour, intellectual guidance during pursuance of this study which resulted in
successful completion of this work. His sense of involvement during the entire
duration of this Ph.D. programme is commendable and unforgettable.
I am extremely thankful to the worthy members of my Advisory
Committee Dr. Ali Anwar (Dean PG Nominee), Professor, Division of Plant
Pathology, Dr. Kausar Parveen, Associate Professor, Division of Vegetable
Science, Dr. Tariq Ahmad Raja, Associate Professor, Division of Agricultural
Statistics, Dr. Haleema Ashraf, Assistant Professor, Division of Environmental
Sciences, SKUAST-K Shalimar for their constant help, valuable suggestions,
talented and needful advice, moral encouragement and kind cooperation during
this Ph.D. programme and for the finalization of this manuscript.
I cannot forget to express my warmest thanks to all the Faculty members
of Division of Environmental Sciences especially Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone,
Associate Professor, Division of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Showkat Ara,
Associate Professor, Division of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Javeed Iqbal Bhat,
Associate Professor, Division of Environmental Sciences, SKUAST-K Shalimar
for their as and when required help and cooperation. I am also thankful to all
the teaching and non teaching staff members of the Division of Environmental
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Sciences for their valuable cooperation and help during the entire tenure of my
research work. I am thankful to the non teaching staff of Division of Plant
Pathology, Vegetable Sciences for their cordial help and cooperation during the
research work.
I owe acknowledgement to our Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Dr. Tej Partap
who is great visionary and genuinely perceives the interest and well being of his
subordinates as the most supreme.
I similarly thank Dr. Shafiq Ahmad Wani, Director Research, SKUAST-
K and Dr. Badrul Hassan, Director Education and their staff to their earnest
help and cooperation in this endeavour.
I am also thankful to Dr. S.A. Shameem for his helping attitude,
impeccable and benevolent guidance, valuable suggestions and constant
encouragement during the entire course of my Ph.D. programme.
I express my profound gratitude to Dr. Nageena Nazir, Assistant
Professor, Division of Agricultural Statistics for her ever helping attitude and
appreciation throughout the research work.
My sincere thanks to Sheikh Ghulam Rasool for his whole hearted
support in and outside the laboratory which led to successful completion of my
research programme.
I also acknowledge sincere thanks to the staff members of Central
Library and ARIS, SKUAST-K, Shalimar especially Mr. Nazir Ahmad for
rendering all possible help while collecting the research literature.
I also extend thanks to my friends Gowhar Bashir, Asmat Rashid, Ishrat
Bashir, Mohammad Anees, Rouf Ahmad, Moiza Ashraf for their cooperation,
appreciation and nice company during the course of my Ph.D. programme.
Parents are the most precious gifts of ALLAH to Mankind. I have no
words to express my heartfelt gratitude to my beloved parents, Khawaja Ghulam
Hassan and Mtr. Habiya Hassan who are the tower of strength and source of
inspiration for me, who dedicated their entire life for my success, without whom
I would have never reached to this stage. I unfeignedly owe my parents a
tremendous filial respect and gratitude to their unending love and affection.
They have been instrumental in every success that I have achieved hitherto. They
have really endured every sort of hardship and privation for my sake only to
reassure that I am not put to the trials and tribulations of life. The essence of
their love is inexplicably unforgettable.
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