Effect of Temperature on Monilinia fructicola Conidia Produced on Fresh Stone Fruits. D. J. Phillips, Plant Pathologist, Quality Maintenance and Transportation Research Unit, Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fresno, CA 93747. Plant Dis. 68:610-612. Accepted for publication 1 February 1984. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1984. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-610.

Incubation at 15, 20, or 25 C caused differences in the size and aggressiveness of conidia from Monilinia fructicola cultured on peach or nectarine fruit. The volume and aggressiveness of the conidia grown in incubators were greatest at 15 C and least at 25 C. Temperature had less effect on the size of spores produced on nectarines than on peaches. Spores produced on potato-dextrose agar were smaller and less aggressive than those produced on fresh peaches. Spores collected from fruit rotting in orchards near Fresno, CA, became smaller as the average 3-day maximum temperature increased.

Keyword(s): brown rot, germination.