Sooty blotch and fly speck are caused by a complex of fungal pathogens that commonly appear together as surface blemishes on apple (and pear) in late summer and fall. Although these fungi may shorten the storage life of fruit due to increased water loss, they do not cause decay, and losses are attributed to unacceptable appearance. During wet growing seasons, losses of 25 percent or more are commonly found, even in orchards treated with fungicides. Sooty blotch appears as sooty …
Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck in Apple
Sooty blotch and flyspeck are surface blemish diseases caused by fungi that commonly appear together on apple or pear in late summer and fall. Although these diseases may shorten the storage life of fruit due to increased water loss, they do not cause decay, and losses are attributed to unacceptable appearance. During wet growing seasons, losses of 25% or higher commonly occur, even in orchards treated with fungicides. Many fungi are involved in this complex of pathogens, including Peltaster fructicola, …