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Species of microorganisms associated with decayed tubers of Irish potato in storage in Plateau State, Nigeria.

An investigation was carried on species of microorganisms associated with decayed tubers of Irish potatoes in storage in Plateau State, Nigeria. Three batches of decayed potatoes were collected from three different storage depots: Bokkos, Bukuru and Jos. The decayed portions of potatoes from each of the three experimental batches were aseptically cut out from the non-decayed areas of the potatoes with the aid of sterile blades. It was mixed up and further divided into two 2 halves. Each half of the experimental samples was plated out on Nutrient Agar (NA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) using serial dilution and soil plate methods. The resultant culture plates were incubated at 25±2 o C and examined after 24-48 hours for the development bacteria and yeast colonies and after 4-7 days for the presence of fungal colonies. A total of thirty-nine (39) species of microorganisms made up of eight (8) species of bacteria, three (3) species of yeast and twenty-eight (28) species of fungi were isolated from the decayed potato tubers. The genera that had the highest microbial species included Aspergillus, Lactobacillus and Fusarium. The isolates also contained mesophilic, thermotolerant and thermophilic species. The implications of the results obtained in terms of potato production in Nigeria have been discussed. Keywords: Associated, Bokkos, Bukuru, Jos, Irish potato, Malt Extract Agar (MEA), microorganisms, Nutrient Agar (NA).