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Effects of Environmental Factors and Cultural Practices on Bull's Eye Rot of Pear

March 2008 , Volume 92 , Number  3
Pages  421 - 424

Jose L. Henriquez, Departamento de Sanidad Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias Agronomicas, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 1004, Santiago; David Sugar, Oregon State University, Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, Medford 97502; and Robert A. Spotts, Oregon State University, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River 97031



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Accepted for publication 16 October 2007.
ABSTRACT

Bull's eye rot of pome fruits caused by Neofabraea spp. is characterized by infection occurring in the orchard throughout the growing season whereas rot lesions develop during long-term storage after harvest. Bull's eye rot was observed on pear fruit exposed to natural infection for any of six to nine sequential 1-to-2-week exposure periods during two growing seasons. Highest infection levels were associated with exposure closest to harvest. Over-tree irrigation and late harvest resulted in higher bull's eye rot incidence than under-tree irrigation and early or mid-season harvest. Fruit were inoculated prior to harvest with Neofabraea perennans to determine the effect of environmental factors on the development of bull's eye rot. The effect of temperature was inconsistent; disease was greatest at 10°C in one year of study but greatest at 30°C in the second year. Bull's eye rot developed independently of wetness durations longer than 0.5 h.



© 2008 The American Phytopathological Society