Postharvest disease management of spots on tomato fruit by fruit extracts.

The aim of this study was to assess L. fruit extracts as an alternative to synthetic fungicide against (Fries) Keissler, the causative agent of black spots of tomato fruit. Antifungal activities of pulp and seed extracts were tested both and The seed extracts were more potent at inhibiting than the pulp extracts. The assay showed maximum inhibition of radial mycelial growth of (90%) by methanol seed extracts, at the highest concentration of 6%. Similarly, the assay showed marked reduction in lesion diameter (2.1 mm) and consequent disease inhibition (84%) on the tomato fruit treated with methanol seed extracts. Scanning electron microscopy showed that extracts significantly damaged the morphology of hyphae and conidial structures. The FT-IR spectrum obtained from methanol extracts showed bands representing important bioactive compounds that possess antifungal activity. Based on our findings, fruit extracts can be further explored as a potential, excellent alternative approach to control the postharvest spots of tomato fruit.