Brown rot: causes, detection and control of Monilinia spp. affecting tree fruit

Publication date: 09/09/2019
Extent: 48 pages

Contributions by: Imre Holb, University of Debrecen and Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary

Chapter synopsis: Monilinia spp. cause economically important fungal diseases of pome and stone fruits. This chapter focuses on the four main Monilinia/Monilia species that is Monilinia fructicola, M. laxa, M. fructigena and M. polystroma. The chapter concentrates on general and specific features of the four brown rot fungi in relation to their impact on fruit hosts and to the integrated disease management. The chapter covers brown rot-related yield loss and its impact on fruit crops, the characteristics of causal organisms and the disease’s major fruit hosts and host resistance. The chapter goes on to describe brown rot symptoms on specific plant parts, methods for rapid and reliable identification and detection of the disease, and disease cycles and spread. The chapter considers possibilities for brown rot disease warning, and discusses disease management options. Finally, the chapter looks ahead to future trends in brown rot research.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2019.0046.06