Abstract

Abstract A description is provided for Penicillium expansum . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Found commonly in soil and in a wide variety of organic material including grains and cereal products, and though generally isolated from mouldy fruit, particularly apples, it also occurs on other pomaceous fruit, cherries, grapes, olives, pineapple and sometimes on citrus and avocado (Raper & Thom 1949, 518-522, & Herb. IMI). DISEASE: Blue mould (soft rot) of apple is characterized by the formation of watery, light or yellowish brown areas on the fruit, which may originate from either the stem or calyx ends. A soft brown rot develops which rapidly destroys the whole fruit. Later, under humid conditions, tufts of massed conidiophores with blue-green conidia appear on the surface of the fruit which gives off a characteristic musty odour. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: World-wide. TRANSMISSION: By air and soil-borne spores, especially in orchards. The pathogen commonly enters through wounds and injuries but may also penetrate lenticels (11: 658).

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