Bitter rot of apple
Bitter rot of apple is a fungal disease that affects apple trees, causing significant damage to the fruit. The disease is caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum, primarily Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum acutatum. Bitter rot is characterized by sunken, dark lesions on the fruit, which can lead to extensive crop loss if not managed properly.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The primary symptom of bitter rot is the appearance of small, circular, sunken lesions on the surface of the apple. These lesions are initially light brown but darken over time, often developing a concentric ring pattern. As the disease progresses, the lesions enlarge and may become covered with pinkish spore masses. Infected fruit may also exhibit a bitter taste, hence the name "bitter rot."
Disease Cycle[edit | edit source]
Bitter rot fungi overwinter in mummified fruit, dead wood, and cankers on the tree. In the spring and summer, spores are produced and spread by rain, wind, and insects. Infection typically occurs during warm, wet weather, with optimal conditions being temperatures between 25-30°C (77-86°F) and high humidity. The spores germinate on the fruit surface, penetrate the skin, and begin to develop the characteristic lesions.
Management[edit | edit source]
Effective management of bitter rot involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical controls. Key strategies include:
- **Sanitation**: Remove and destroy mummified fruit, pruned wood, and other debris that can harbor the fungus.
- **Pruning**: Proper pruning to improve air circulation and reduce humidity within the tree canopy.
- **Chemical Control**: Application of fungicides during the growing season, particularly during periods of warm, wet weather. Commonly used fungicides include captan, thiophanate-methyl, and strobilurins.
Related Diseases[edit | edit source]
Bitter rot can be confused with other apple diseases such as black rot, white rot, and apple scab. Each of these diseases has distinct symptoms and management practices, making accurate diagnosis important for effective control.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD