RESEARCH ARTICLE How to cite this article Ngongu,I., Ugese, F., Liamngee, K., and Agatsa, D.T.(2018), Isolation and Identification of Fungi Causing Postharvest Decay of Oranges (Citrus sinensis) During Storage in Makurdi, Mind Sourcing Bio. 3(12), Pp 8. Received: November 30, 2018 Accepted: Decemberer 5, 2018 Published:December,31 2018 Copyright © 2018 Ngongu et al Corresponding author Liamngee Kator katorliamgee@gmail.com Distributed under Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 Isolation and Identification of Fungi Causing Postharvest Decay of Oranges (Citrus sinensis) During Storage in Makurdi 1 Ngongu Iordye , 2 Ugese F.D., 3 Liamngee Kator and 4 Agatsa David Terna 1 Centre for Food Technology and Research, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. 2 Department of Crop Production, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. 3,4 Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. ABSTRACT Isolation and identification of fungi causing post-harvest decay of oranges during storage in Makurdi was investigated. Orange fruits showing symptoms of decay were collected in polythene envelops and taken to the botany laboratory of the Benue State University for isolation and identification of fungi pathogens. Small sizes were cut from the decaying orange fruits, surface sterilized in 1% of sodium hypochloride solution and rinsed in three changes of sterile distilled water. The excised sections were placed on solidified Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and observed for fungal growth. For pathogenicity, healthy orange fruits were plugged with pure cultures of the fungal isolates and disease incidence and severity were assessed. T-test revealed significant differences between the inoculated and the control at 5% level of probability in the pathogenicity of the fungal isolates. Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium oxysporum and Bipolaris harlodes were isolated from the decaying orange fruits. Incidence of decay on healthy orange fruits was 100% for all fungal isolates while the control was 0%. Severity of decay ranged from 3 – 5 which indicated 41-100% of tissue damage. Pathogenic fungi on orange fruits are a potential health hazard to man and animals following ingestion. Keywords: Postharvest, oranges, storage, decay, fungi INTRODUCTION Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) which belongs to the family Rutaceae is one of the most widely grown fruit crops in the world [1].The crop is mainly cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world in over 137 countries on six continents [2]. It is widely consumed both as fresh fruit and as juice. Oranges are principal sources of important nutrients like vitamin C, flavonoids, pectin, folic acid, carotenoid, dietary fibre, potassium, selenium and a wide range of phytochemicals that are suggested to be responsible for the prevention of degenerative diseases [1,3]. MIND SOURCING Biology