Influence of gasoline emissions on tomato fruit rot by two fungi in tropical ambient conditions

Abstract Background The release of pollutant gases into the atmosphere as a result anthropogenic activities exert effect on biological systems at many levels. Combustion engines such those in vehicles and power generators pollute air with emissions from their exhausts. released which are oxides carbon, nitrogen; sulphur particulate matter have living things immediate environment. Up to 25% harvested fruits vegetables lost mainly due microbial before consumption. Disease development ripe tomato fruit (host) by two its fungal pathogens presence generator is presently being studied. Results Treatment produced variable effects depending fungus route infection. For Rhizopus stolonifer coated Fusarium oxysporum wound inoculated fruits, significant disease reduction was noticeable later days storage, specifically day 11. Fruits F . oxsporum spores without wounding however, rotted more gasoline treatment also noticeably period storage. Long exposures caused greater rot where reduced severe enhanced. infected were best preserved for 14 40 min exposure while 45 exposure. 40–50% both types Conversely, most aggravated about 50% unwounded fruits. Other increased rotting 5–35%. Conclusions results demonstrate that pollution fumes may under certain host–pathogen conditions be advantageous prolonging postharvest life tomatoes, other times could devastating when subsequently stored or marketed tropical ambient temperature. advantage, outweighs negative effects.