Vol. 60 No. 3 (2021)
Articles

Fungal pathogens associated with harvested table grapes in Lebanon, and characterization of the mycotoxigenic genera

Wassim Habib
Laboratory of Mycology, Department of Plant Protection, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar
Jack Khalil
CIHEAM Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (Bari)
Annamaria Mincuzzi
Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari
Carine Saab
Laboratory of Mycology, Department of Plant Protection, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar
Elvis Gerges
Laboratory of Mycology, Department of Plant Protection, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar
Hala Chahine Tsouvalakis
Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Lebanese University, Dekwaneh
Antonio Ippolito
Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari
Simona Marianna Sanzani
CIHEAM Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (Bari)

Published 2021-11-15

Keywords

  • postharvest,
  • Aspergillus,
  • Penicillium,
  • Alternaria,
  • Mycotoxins,
  • Sulphur dioxide
  • ...More
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How to Cite

[1]
W. . Habib, “Fungal pathogens associated with harvested table grapes in Lebanon, and characterization of the mycotoxigenic genera”, Phytopathol. Mediterr., vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 427–439, Nov. 2021.

Funding data

Abstract

Table grapes are exposed to fungal infections before and after harvest. In particular, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria can cause decays and contamination by mycotoxins. The main fungi affecting Lebanese table grapes after harvest were assessed as epiphytic populations, latent infections, and rots. Effects of storage with and without SO2 generating pads were also evaluated. Representative isolates of toxigenic genera were characterised, and their genetic potential to produce ochratoxin A, fumonisins, and patulin was established. The epiphytic populations mainly included wound pathogens (Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp.), while latent infections and rots were mostly caused by Botrytis spp. The use of SO2 generating pads reduced the epiphytic populations and rots, but was less effective against latent infections. Characterization of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria isolates showed that A. tubingensis, P. glabrum, and A. alternata were the most common species. Strains of A. welwitschiae and P. expansum were also found to be genetically able to produce, respectively, ochratoxin A plus fumonisins and patulin. These data demonstrate the need for effective measures to prevent postharvest losses caused by toxigenic fungi.

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