A Study of the Major Pathogens Causing Fruit Rots of Apple in Shelf Life in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

Major pathogens causing fruit rots of apple in shelf life in Hangzhou, a city in east China, were identified by rDNA-ITS analysis. Their pathogenicities and stress tolerances were compared as well. Combining with disease symptoms, colonial phenotypes and mycelial microscopic morphology, the fungi were determined as Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium acuminatum, respectively. Among them, B. cinerea and B. dothidea showed a higher pathogenicity; B. cinerea and D. phaseolorum were hardly affected by the temperature at a range of 15°C and 25°C; B. cinerea has the highest resistant to Thiabendazole and D. phaseolorum displayed the strongest resistance to Imazalil; and P. expansum was most sensitive to ultraviolet light radiation. The results provide some useful information that helps to combine conventional and alternative control strategies to minimize apple postharvest losses in shelf life.