A New View of Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck

Abstract

Sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) fungi colonize the surface wax layer of the fruit of apple, pear, persimmon, banana, orange, papaya, and several other cultivated tree and vine crops. In addition to colonizing cultivated fruit crops, SBFS fungi also grow on the surfaces of stems, twigs, leaves, and fruit of a wide range of wild plants. The disease occurs worldwide in regions with moist growing seasons. SBFS is regarded as a serious disease by fruit growers and plant pathologists because it can cause substantial economic damage. The smudges and stipples of SBFS often result in downgrading of fruit from premium fresh-market grade to processing use. This review describes the major shifts that have occurred during the past decade in understanding the genetic diversity of the SBFS complex, clarifying its biogeography and environmental biology, and developing improved management strategies.

Ramichloridium endophyticum sp. nov., a novel species of endophytic fungus from Potamogeton pectinatus

“…The type species of the genus Ramichloridium, R. apiculatum, was originally found in heavily deteriorated materials, in soil, and as a culture contaminant [11]. Several other species of the genus, such as R. cucurbitae and R. punctatum, have been isolated from plants as pathogens, which commonly cause Sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) worldwide [8,32,33].…”

Fungicide Spray Volume and Pruning Impact Performance of a Warning System for Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck on Apple

“…The sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) disease complex is the predominant apple disease in the Upper Midwest during summer months. Although the complex is comprised of nearly 80 fungal species worldwide that are mostly in the Dothideomycetes order Capnodiales (13), most apple orchards in the eastern US harbor 2-15 SBFS species (11). The SBFS fungi grow on the waxy cuticle of fruit, causing dark blemishes that reduce fresh market value.…”

“…The SBFS fungi grow on the waxy cuticle of fruit, causing dark blemishes that reduce fresh market value. Incidence of SBFS can approach 100% if left unchecked (13). Prolonged periods of wetness and high relative humidity are conducive to germination of conidia and mycelial growth of SBFS species (17).…”

Control of flyspeck (<i>Schizothyrium pomi</i>) on <i>Actinidia arguta</i> kiwifruit

“…Although there is considerable knowledge of sooty blotch and flyspeck on other crops worldwide, particularly on apples (Williamson & Sutton 2000;Gleason et al 2011), little is known of the epidemiology or control of flyspeck in A. arguta orchards and no control fungicides are listed in the A. arguta crop protection programme. The aims of this study were to establish whether the vines were a source of inoculum in the orchard, to investigate when infection of the vines and fruit occurred, and to evaluate the efficacy of strategic fungicide applications that could be included in a control programme.…”