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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #89248
Title: CRANBERRY FRUIT ROT: A COMPLEX DISEASE OR A DISEASE COMPLEX?

Author
item OUDEMANS, PETER - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
item CARUSO, FRANK - UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS
item Stretch, Allan

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/25/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This feature article is a review of cranberry fruit rot, its history, present status and implications for the future. The article describes cranberry culture and the economics of fruit production to provide a framework to understand the unique growing conditions which influence cranberry fruit rot development and importance to the industry. The role cranberry fruit rot played in the early years of the cranberry industry serves as a preamble to a discussion of fungal causes, disease cycles and effect on keeping quality. Management of cranberry fruit rot is covered in terms of fungicide use and cultural practices such as late water, sanding, drainage, irrigation, trash pile removal and fertilization. Rot resistant cultivars and biological antagonists are also discussed as rot management alternatives.

Technical Abstract: This feature article is a review of cranberry fruit rot, its history, present status and implications for the future. The article describes cranberry culture and the economics of fruit production to provide a framework to understand the unique growing conditions which influence cranberry fruit rot development and importance to the industry. The role cranberry fruit rot played in the early years of the cranberry industry serves as a preamble to a discussion of fungal causes such as Physalospora vaccinii, Phyllosticta vaccinii, Glomerella cingulata and Coleophoma empetri. Disease cycles were characterized and they differed with respect to the tissues where the fungi over-winter and timing of infection. The implications of fruit rot on keeping quality is discussed. Management of cranberry fruit rot is covered in terms of fungicide use and cultural practices such as late water, sanding, drainage, irrigation, trash pile removal and fertilization. Rot resistant cultivars and biological antagonists are also discussed as rot management alternatives.