Abstract

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Inoculation of 2 × 10⁶ cells of the yeasts Candida tropicalis and Pichia membranaefaciens into fruits of the large red pepper induced soft watery rot within 4 days of incubation at room temperature, 28 ± 2°C. Germination of the seeds on wet sterile filter papers was reduced to less than 10% in one week. Abnormal germination was observed after the 4th day, and dead seeds were prominent after the 6th day of infection. When seeds from 7-day-old infected fruits were disinfected with a 0.5% solution of sodium hypochlorite and planted on pepper agar, over 96% exhibited yeast growth, indicating that the seed infection was borne internally.

Keywords: tropicalis