Various species of Gloeosporium in stored apples in Finland

Authors

• Pentti Talvia Agricultural Research Centre, Department of Plant Pathology, Tikkurila

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71532

Abstract

Gloeosporium perennans Zeller & Childs and G. album Osterw. were determined as the most important causal agents of apple rot in storage among 20 apple varieties from 17 localities in Finland. G. fructigenum Berk, was relatively insignificant in causing the disease. Infection spots of both G. perennans and G. album began to appear in the fruit at approximately the same time during January. All of the apple varieties investigated were found to be susceptible to Gloeosporium rot, although there were distinct differences in the susceptibility of certain varieties to one or another of the two species. The occurrence of the Gloeosporium species varied considerably in the same apple variety between different orchards. External factors such as dry weather in the late summer, fungicidal sprays, and carbon dioxide during storage were found to decrease the occurrence of Gloeosporium rot in stored apples as well as to cause changes in the relative proportions of the two species G. perennans and G. album.