EFFICACY OF SOLAR HEAT IN THE CONTROL OF BACTERIAL SOFT ROT OF POTATO TUBERS CAUSED BY ERWINIA CAROTOVORA SSP. CAROTOVORA

摘要

The efficacy of solar heat in the control of bacterial soft rot of potato tubers was investigated in Maiduguri, semi-arid region of Northeastern Nigeria. Artificially contaminated tubers were exposed to solar heat for duration of 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes. The results showed that exposures for 120 and 180 minutes gave the highest control of the disease, although during the hot dry season (mean temperature at exposure was 54.6 deg C) exposure even for 30 minutes gave satisfactory control of the disease. Solar heat can therefore be used to control of bacterial soft rot of potato tubers.