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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Food Quality Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413677
Research Project: System Approaches Using Genomics and Biology to Manage Postharvest Fruit Decay, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Mycotoxins to Reduce Food Loss and Waste

Location: Food Quality Laboratory

Title: Apple bitter rot: biology, ecology, omics, virulence factors, and management of causal colletotrichum species

Author
item BOECKMAN, NATE - Virginia Tech
item BORBA, MATHEUS - Virginia Tech
item Jurick Ii, Wayne
item ACIMOVIC, SRDJAN - Virginia Tech

Submitted to: Molecular Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2024
Publication Date: 1/12/2025
Citation: Boeckman, N., Borba, M., Jurick Ii, W.M., Acimovic, S.G. 2025. Apple Bitter Rot: Biology, Ecology, Omics, Virulence Factors, and Management of Causal Colletotrichum Species. Molecular Plant Pathology. 26(1). Article e70050. https://doi.org/10.1111/mpp.70050.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mpp.70050

Interpretive Summary: Bitter rot of apple is caused by a fungal pathogen that causes devastating economic impacts from year to year. It reduces fruit quality, lowers yield and renders the fruit useless. Due to a variety of factors, the pathogen is difficult to control and current management strategies are not efficacious. Hence, new methods, techniques and strategies for bitter rot control are needed. Thus, this review article serves as a timely, comprehensive view to guide future research investigations to solve this pome fruit production problem.

Technical Abstract: Apple bitter rot is caused by a variety of Colletotrichum spp. that threaten apple production globally causing millions of dollars in damage annually. The fungus causes a decline in fruit quality and yield, eventually rotting the fruit and rendering it inedible. The pathogen is difficult to keep out of orchards because of its broad range of vectors and hosts. Current management strategies are threatened by an increase in fungicide resistance and restrictions on a plethora of commonly used multi-site fungicides leading to a pressing need for new management options to control this devastating complex of pathogens. This pathogen profile aims to review current knowledge of Colletotrichum spp. biology, virulence factors, ecology, omics and emerging management strategies in the context of causal species of apple bitter rot.