Fungi Associated with Papaya Fruits in Ahilyanagar District (M.S.).

During present study fungal species associated with papaya fruits collected from markets in Newasa tehsil, district Ahilyanagar (M.S.) were investigated. The harvested fruits of papaya infected with fungi were used for experimental purpose. These fungi were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), and identified on the basis of cultural, morphological, and microscopic characters. Six fungal species Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Alternaria alternata were isolated. The study emphasizes that C. gloeosporioides is a pathogenic fungus responsible for anthracnose, while Aspergillus species are opportunistic saprophytes, colonizing fruits during post-harvest handling and storage