Biology and Management of Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh. causing black mold rot of pear (Pyrus communis L.) in Kashmir Valley, India

Pears are highly perishable fruits and are attacked by number of fungal pathogens causing various rot diseases. The threat of these diseases is influenced by the way these horticultural crops are handled and stored. The fungal rot diseases cause heavy losses to the fruits in storage, transit as well as in fields. Therefore, present study was carried out to study the incidence of fungal rot of pear. It was revealed from the study that pear fruits are attacked by Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh. causing black mold rot of pear. Study was also undertaken for the management of black mold rot of pear with some fungicides and plant extracts. It was revealed from the study that different concentration of fungicides brought about significant reduction in the mycelial growth and spore germination of Aspergillus niger under in vitro conditions. Amongst the tested fungicides, hexaconozole proved highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth and spore germination of Aspergillus niger followed by carbendazim, bitertanol and myclobutanil respectively. Higher concentration proved effective than lower concentrations. Amongst the plant extracts, Artemisia absinthium at highest concentration was found most effective against A. niger and cause highest inhibition in the mycelial growth and spore germination followed by R. obtusifolius, M. sylvestris, P. lanceolata and T. officinale at the same concentration. Other concentrations of plant extracts also bought about significant reduction in mycelial growth and spore germination of the test fungus but to a lesser extent.