The Recent Occurrence of Biotic Postharvest Diseases of Apples in Poland

Hubert Głos,Joanna Puławska,Monika Michalecka,Hanna Bryk

doi:10.3390/agronomy12020399

Abstract

For the years 2012–2018, we investigated the occurrence of storage diseases caused by fungi on four cultivars of apples grown in the central part of Poland. The fruits were picked in orchards managed with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and stored in a cold room for 5–7 months. Depending on the season, apple cultivar and localization of orchard, the incidence of diseases was different. On apple cvs “Gala”, “Ligol” and “Golden Delicious”, bull’s eye rot (Neofabraea spp.) was the most frequently observed disease, whereas on apple cv. “Gloster”, gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) predominated. The blue mold (Penicillium expansum), brown rot (Monilinia spp.) and fungi of Alternaria spp. occurred at significantly lower intensity. We detected the occurrence of the new storage diseases of apples caused by Colletotrichum spp., Neonectria ditissima and Diaporthe eres.

Highlights

For many years, Poland has been a leader in apple production in the EU (4 million tons in 2021)
There are more than 90 species of fungi causing the post-harvest diseases described [4], but their occurrence and importance differ from year to year and depend on the cultivation region, climate, cultivar, technology of production, and storage of the fruit
Research carried out during six storage seasons showed a very high variation in the incidence of diseases of apples of biotic origin depending on the season, apple cultivar, and location of the orchard

Summary

Introduction

Poland has been a leader in apple production in the EU (4 million tons in 2021). An effect of long periods of storage is the occurrence of diseases, both of biotic and abiotic origin, which can cause a significant loss of fruit. This reduces the profitability of apple production [2,3]. There are more than 90 species of fungi causing the post-harvest diseases described [4], but their occurrence and importance differ from year to year and depend on the cultivation region, climate, cultivar, technology of production, and storage of the fruit. The main factors determining the occurrence of diseases are the presence in the orchard of the source of infection, susceptibility of apple varieties, and weather conditions that favor the development of fungi [6]

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