The Intensity of Tomato Post-Harvest Rot in the Surroundings of Tandojam

Abstract

Tandojam is one of the main tomatoes producing city in Pakistan. Several tones of tomatoes are produced in the Tandojam each year. The main objective of the study was to estimate the intensity of tomato post-harvest rot in the vicinity of Tandjam, so curative strategies can be explored. A survey was conducted in the surrounding of Tandojam viz; Tando Allahyar, Sultanabad Vegetable Market, Tandojam city, Tando Qaiser, Bahawal Zaur, and Hyderabad Vegetable Market. A total of 20 tomato growers/farmers, 30 brokers, and 23 small shopkeepers were interviewed based on the proforma developed in the current study. The fruit rot infection among all 20 different fields ranged from 5 to 65% with 31.85% infected fruits by Alternaria. At Sultanabad and Hyderabad vegetable markets infection was ranged from 20 to 60% and 10 to 70%, respectively, with mean percentages 37 and 38.5% infected by Alternaria sp. Infection in small shops was ranged from 16.67 to 60% in Tandojam city and 16.67 to 53.33% in Tando Qaiser. The overall comparison revealed 30 percent infected fruit by Alternaria under field conditions, 36 percent at the vegetable market, and 43 percent at small shops level. Controlling tomato rots is a big challenge as the intensity of this disease is unknown in different regions. This research has significantly contributed to estimating the intensity of this disease.