Mycelia growth of <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i> and <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> on pepper (<i>Capsicum chinense</i>) fruits in different media and their impact on the nutritional composition of infected fruit

This study examined the effects of various growth conditions on the mycelial development of two fungal Pathogens and evaluated the nutritional makeup of the resulting infected pepper fruits. The study investigated the complex relationships between the nutritional makeup of the host plant and fungus growth. Using a variety of growth media (potato dextrose agar, carrot dextrose agar, cornmeal agar, oatmeal agar, cauliflower dextrose agar, and Sabouraud synthetic nutrient), the growth dynamics of two separate fungal pathogens (Colletotrichum truncatum and Fusarium verticillioides) were investigated. Various growth media had various effects on mycelia growth. For F. verticillioides, oatmeal, and cornmeal agar showed the maximum mycelia growth (90 cm) after 7 days in culture, while for C. truncatum, oatmeal agar and cauliflower dextrose agar produced the same results. In addition, an analysis of the nutritional makeup of pepper fruits infected with the two pathogens showed changes in proximate compositions, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Inoculated pepper fruits exhibited lower levels of ash, carbs, fat and protein, and higher levels of fiber and moisture. While healthy pepper fruits recorded higher 6.48%, 1.50%, 2.70% and 0.47% of alkaloids, tannin, flavonoid, and saponin respectively, fruits infected with C. truncatum and F. verticillioides recorded 1.8 and 1.60% alkaloids, 0.81 and 0.50% tannin, 0.59 and 0.40% flavonoid, and 0.26 and 0.36% saponin, respectively. Similar patterns were observed for vitamin and mineral contents. By providing insights that could affect agricultural practices and the management of plant diseases, this comparative study advances our understanding of the complex interactions among fungal pathogens, growth media, and nutritional value of infected plant hosts.