VIEW ARTICLE

Special Topics

Penicillium solitum Revived, and its Role as a Pathogen of Pomaceous Fruit. J. I. Pitt, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Division of Food Processing, North Ryde, N.S.W. 2113, Australia; R. A. Spotts(2), R. J. Holmes(3), and R. H. Cruickshank(4). (2)Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University, Hood River 97031; (3)Institute of Plant Sciences, Ferntree Gully, Vic. 3156, Australia; (4)Department of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia. Phytopathology 81:1108-1112. Accepted for publication 6 May 1991. Copyright 1991 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-81-1108.

Penicillium solitum, a species neglected in recent taxonomies, is revived. A new description and related taxonomic information are given, based on examination of a number of fresh isolates from pome fruit and wooden fruit bin surfaces in Australia and from processed meats in Germany. Isolates of P. solitum were less virulent on apple and pear fruits than those of P. expansum, the dominant pathogenic Penicillium on pome fruits. P. solitum and P. expansum showed similar temperature growth curves, but growth of P. solitum was slower. All isolates of P. solitum from fruit and fruit storage bins in this study were insensitive to benomyl, but isolates from meat and cheese were sensitive to benomyl.