ISOLATION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPOILAGE OF SWEET POTATO

In the face of the present food situation in Nigeria, one of the major obstacle to food production is that of storage. During harvesting seasons tubers crops are very much available at cheap prices but this availability is usually short lived due to storage problems. Tropical crops suffer tremendously due to inadequate storage practices. Sweet potato as crop suffer most and tuber crops. Nigeria farmers under their local practices have the problem of storing the tuber over a period of time after harvest. These problems are those originating from: i. Attack by micro-organizing which gain entry harvest bruises, insect and rodents their by causing rotting ii. Attack by rodents and arthropods especially insects iii. Weight loss due to high temperature which causes high rate of evaporation leading to high loss to water iv. Sprouting which renders the tubers unpalatable