Bitter rot is a fungus disease that causes fruit rot during the summer and the preharvest period. The bitter rot fungi are almost worldwide in distribution and cause an especially economically important disease in the southern United States. Outbreaks can occur rapidly, and losses can be severe, especially under prolonged warm, wet weather. This table lists the bitter rot susceptibility rating of many popular apple cultivars.
|
Apple cultivar |
Bitter rot |
Apple cultivar |
Bitter rot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Black | HS | Maiden Blush | MR |
| Braeburn | S | Nittany | HS |
| Delicious | MR | Northern Spy | S |
| Fuji | HS | NW Greening | HS |
| Gala | S | RI Greening | HS |
| Golden Delicious | HS | Rome Beauty | MR |
| Granny Smith | HS | Smokehouse | HS |
| Grimes Golden | S | Stayman | S |
| Ginger Gold | S | Winesap | MR |
| Idared | HS | Yellow Newton | HS |
| Jerseymac | MR | Yellow Transparent | MR |
| Jonagold | S | York Imperial | MR |
| Jonathan | S |
zMR = moderately resistant. Specific control needed under high disease pressure.
S = susceptible. Control usually needed where disease is prevalent.
HS = highly susceptible. Control always needed where disease is prevalent. These cultivars should receive first priority when control is required.
See Bitter Rot of Apple for more information.
Data compiled by K. S. Yoder and A. R. Biggs from personal observations and the following resource:
A Grower’s Guide to Apple Insects and Diseases in the Southeast. 1993. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Auburn University, Circular ANR-838. Ed. J. R. McVay, J. F. Walgenbach, E. J. Sikora, and T. B. Sutton.