merged

Effect of Pitaya Skin Extract on Disease Development of Pitaya Plant
(Hylocereus polyrhizus)
Maizatul Aini Binti Mohd Shamsuddin
Supervisor: Dr. Suhaizan Binti Lob
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Nurul Faziha Binti Ibrahim & Dr. Fauziah Binti Tufail
Ahmad
Bachelor of Science Agrotechnology (Crop Science)
School Of Food Science and Technology
Fungal infection has greatly reduced the red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus sp.)
production in Malaysia. Fungicide application has not completely control the disease
spread in pitaya plantation. With regards of the high value of pitaya fruit, this study
aims to re-use the pitaya skin which contain high antibiotic and polyphenol to reduce
disease development on red pitaya plant itself. The skin will be extracted using 80%
methanol. Three different concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60%) will be tested in vitro
to determine the best concentration that can suppress the growth of fungal mycelium.
The best concentration of pitaya skin extract will be applied to the pitaya plant that
has been inoculated with Fusarium spp. by using two methods (curative and
preventive). Disease development will be assessed after 7-10 days. The red pitaya
skin extract at preventive method is expected to develop lower disease severity on the
inoculated plants compared to curative method.
1097 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018