Assessment and Management of Post-Harvest Diseases of Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Market Chains in Ibadan, Oyo State

Post-harvest losses of pepper (Capsicum annuum) in market chains represent a critical food system inefficiency in Ibadan, where substantial volumes of fresh pepper are handled daily across wholesale and retail distribution networks. Fungal and bacterial rots are the primary causes of post-harvest pepper losses, yet systematic assessments of disease prevalence across the market chain remain limited. This study assessed the types, incidence, and severity of post-harvest diseases of fresh pepper at farm gate, wholesale market, and retail levels in Ibadan, Oyo State. Pepper samples were collected from 90 sources across three levels of the supply chain and subjected to laboratory pathological analysis. Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum capsici, and Pectobacterium carotovorum were the dominant post-harvest pathogens identified. Post-harvest loss rate escalated from 12 percent at farm gate to 47 percent at the retail level over a seven-day assessment period, underscoring the role of handling and storage conditions in disease progression. Retail traders using open non-shaded displays showed the highest rot incidence compared to traders using cool ambient storage. The study trialled three post-harvest interventions, including chlorine washing, heat treatment, and wax coating, with heat treatment at 50 degrees Celsius for two minutes reducing fungal disease incidence by 58 percent without significant quality deterioration. Recommendations include investment in simple evaporative cooling storage and trader education on disease-reducing handling practices. Keywords: pepper, post-harvest disease, market chain, Ibadan, loss assessment.