POST-HARVEST ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF PENICILLIUM EXPANSUM CAUSING BLUE MOLD OF ONION.

Onion is one of the most important salad and vegetable plants in all parts of Pakistan. Onions in storage are being affected by different types of diseases, but Blue Mold of Onions is one of the most important detrimental post-harvest diseases of onions. The research was conducted in the Plant Pathology Laboratory at Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, to manage Penicillium expansum by applying different Botanical extracts, Viz., Caramon, Garlic and Neem. The efficacy of all three botanicals was tested on storage onion with three replications and data was collected at four days' intervals. After statistical analysis, it was observed that all three botanicals cause significant reductions in the rot severity of onion in storage: among the three botanicals, Neem was found most effective in reducing rot severity, followed by garlic and caramon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]