Comparative Studies with TwoGeotrichumSpecies Inciting Postharvest Decays of Tomato Fruit

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Abstract
Growth rates of G. candidum and G. penicillatum (ATCC 48024) were compared on mature green and red tomato to fruit at 3, 10, 15 and 20.degree. C and on potato-dextrose agar (PDA) at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40.degree. C. The rate of infection of mature green fruit by G. penicillatum was less than that by G. candidum at all temperatures. Both fungi grew at the same rate on red fruit. G. penicillatum was less aggressive and had a slower growth rate than G. candidum on PDA at temperatures from 10.degree. to 30.degree. C. Fungicidal effects of several chemicals were studied on mature green and red fruit inoculated with spore suspensions of the 2 spp. Sodium hypochlorite, benomyl, thiophanate methyl and vinclozolin retarded growth of G. penicillatum on green fruit; imazalil and ferbam retarded lesion development on red fruit. Sodium bircarbonate and potassium sorbate retarded G. candidum growth on green fruit, and thiophanate methyl and sodium bicarbonate retarded fungal growth on red fruit. None of these frungicides, however, prevented decay caused by either fungus. This is the 1st reported incidence of G. penicillatum causing postharvest decay of tomatoes.

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