Abstract

Fungal pathogens have posed a serious problem in post-harvest losses of apples, seriously reducing their quantity, quality, and marketability. This infection, in addition to reducing aesthetic and nutritional value, leads to a related economic loss during the storage and transportation period. However, there is a lack of studies on the fungal pathogen associated with apples of Nagar Valley, Gilgit Baltistan. The present study determines the occurrence of different fungal species in three local apple varieties: Sheribil, Gorman, and Golden. Aspergillus spp. were the most predominant fungal group, particularly Aspergillus niger, accounting for 51% of the total isolates, dominating in the Golden variety and followed by Sherbil and Golden. Penicillium spp. were the second most frequent and accounted for 26.8% of the total fungal isolates, with a maximum frequency noted in the Golden variety. Other fungi, like Mucor spp., Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp. and Rhizopus spp. were also isolated but in low frequencies. The present study found high fungal diversity in local apple varieties in Nagar Valley and their susceptibility to post-harvest fungal pathogens. Dominant species of fungi and their prevalence across various apple varieties can help to improve shelf-life and quality in locally cultivated apples. This monitoring and control of fungal pathogens in post-harvest systems should be the focus in each of the studied apple varieties in Nagar Valley.