*4.2. Decay Evaluation*

After 2, 7, and 14 days of storage at 11 ◦C, the severity of fruit degradation (in individual fruits in each container; total 16 fruits per treatment per storage period) was visually assessed. Tomato fruit showing surface mycelia growth was considered decayed. On a scale of one to five, the degree of infection on fruit was rated: 1-clean, no infection, 2-trace infection, 3-slight infection, 4-moderate infection, and 5-severe infection. Rots were distinguished by tomato tissue subculture onto Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media as described previously [66].
