Fungus

Okra is frequently infested by fungi, including species from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium. These fungi can lead to significant reductions in crop yield, quality, and safety due to their ability to produce mycotoxins.

Several microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi, are responsible for the spoilage of okra. These microorganisms cause different symptoms on the okra, leading to its decay and deterioration.

The bacteria such as: Erwinia carotovora (now classified as Pectobacterium carotovorum) . This bacterium causes soft rot in okra, Pseudomonas spp affects the soft rot disease on okra. The fungus like Aspergillus niger (black mold on okra ), Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp. affects the okra and okra plants.

Ashfaq Aziz You can find many information on postharvest diseases in okra caused by fungus and bacteria in these publications:

Ogunoye, O.A., Adelusi, O.A., Chime, A.O., Apuu, K.V. and Onisile, B.O., 2024. Preliminary identification of bacterial species contaminating okra fruits in some selected markets in Owo, Nigeria. J. Nutrition and Food Processing, 7(3).

Kumar, S.D., 2019. Enumerations on seed-borne and post-harvest microflora associated with okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] and their management. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(2).

Huan, T.L. and Jamil, M.B., 1975. Seed borne pathogens in okra fruit rot. MARDI Research Bulletin, 3(2), pp.38-45.