Pathogenic Penicillium spp. on Apple and Pear

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Mycology
• Horticultural Science

Background:

• Postharvest fruit spoilage is frequently linked to various Penicillium species.
• Understanding the pathogenicity of these fungi is crucial for reducing economic losses in fruit export.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pathogenicity and aggressiveness of selected Penicillium species on different apple and pear cultivars.
• To identify key fungal pathogens responsible for spoilage in international fruit export chains.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and selection of Penicillium species from South African and European Union fruit export chains.
• Inoculation trials to assess pathogenicity and aggressiveness on multiple apple and pear cultivars.
• Measurement of lesion size and disease incidence to quantify fungal impact.

Main Results:

• Penicillium expansum demonstrated the highest aggressiveness across most tested apple and pear cultivars.
• Penicillium digitatum exhibited significant aggressiveness on specific pear cultivars, a novel finding for this pathogen on pome fruits.
• Penicillium solitum showed broader cultivar range pathogenicity and higher aggressiveness on pears compared to apples.

Conclusions:

• This research highlights the differential aggressiveness of Penicillium species on various pome fruit cultivars.
• The findings underscore the importance of P. digitatum in postharvest pear decay within export markets.
• New insights into host specificity provide valuable data for managing fungal diseases in fruit supply chains.