Fungal Pathogens of Postharvest Rot of Groundnut (Arachys hypogaea L.) in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State Nigeria

Fungi such as Aspergillus niger (brasiliensis), Aspergillus flavus, Alterneria dianthocola, Curvularia lunata, Curvulari apellesecens, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium equiseti, Microphomina phaseolina, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium digitatum are associated with heavy losses of seeds, fruits, grains, vegetables and other plant products in transit and storage rendering them unfit for human consumption. The research sought to identify fungal pathogens of groundnut rot in storage in Hong Local Government area of Adamawa State, Nigeria a major groundnut producing area. A survey was carried out using random sampling on incidence of groundnut rot in the seven districts of Hong local government area in the month of July 2016. Isolation and identification, frequency of occurrence, virulence, as well as effect of pathogens on germination of groundnut seeds and seedling growth were carried out. Incidence of rot occurred in all seven districts with the highest in Hong, Hildi and Gaya, pathogens associated with the rot were identified as follows, Aspergillus niger (brasilensis), Aspergilus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Pseudallescheria boydii, Cylindrocarpon lichenicola and Scedosaporium prolificans. The frequent occurring fungi were Aspergillus niger (brasilensis) and Aspergillus flavus while the most virulent was Aspergillus flavus. There was significant reduction in seed germination and seedling growth at 99.99 % probability level for both the Valencia (kampala) and Peruvian (kwathrumthrum) from 33.33 % for un-inoculated to 11.00 % for inoculated. Proper storage practices to reduce groundnut rot as well as enhance seed viability are therefore suggested.