Morphological profiling of fungal pathogens and their host association in decaying market produce: A study on selected tropical fruits and vegetables

Postharvest fungal decay is a leading cause of economic and nutritional losses in the horticultural sector, particularly in tropical regions with diverse produce. This study aimed to identify the predominant fungal species associated with the spoilage of a wide range of fruits and vegetables, including several understudied tropical varieties, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Sixty-five decaying samples from thirteen types of produce (e.g., banana, jackfruit, coconut, bilimbi, snake gourd, lime) were collected from local markets. Fungal isolation was performed on Potato Dextrose Agar following surface sterilization of tissue segments. Pure cultures were identified morphologically based on macro- and microscopic characteristics. A total of 85 fungal isolates were obtained, representing nine genera. Aspergillus was the most prevalent genus (30.6% frequency), followed by Rhizopus (22.4%) and Fusarium (14.1%). The results revealed strong host-specificity; Aspergillus dominated hard-shelled/tart fruits (52.4% incidence), Rhizopus was the primary pathogen in vegetables and gourds (35.3%), and Penicillium was specific to fleshy fruits like lime. This study provides a crucial baseline profile of the spoilage mycobiota in the region, highlighting the need for tailored postharvest management strategies to mitigate losses in both common and regionally significant produce, thereby enhancing food security.