Control of postharvest diseases in apples with reduced-risk fungicides

 

 

 

CL Xiao* and YK Kim

Department of Plant Pathology, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA, USA

 

 

 

Abstract

Purpose of review: New reduced-risk postharvest fungicides were recently registered for control of postharvest diseases of apples. New preharvest fungicides have also been evaluated for postharvest disease control. This review is aimed at highlighting some recent progress in the control of postharvest fungal diseases of apples with these new fungicides and management of fungicide resistance in key postharvest pathogens of apples.

Main findings: Recently registered broad-spectrum pre- and postharvest fungicides provided new tools for controlling postharvest fungal diseases of apples. In the meantime, key postharvest pathogens such as Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea are high-risk pathogens for the development of fungicide resistance. Risk for the development of resistance to these fungicides in P. expansum is considered medium to high.

Directions for future research: Future research should focus on understanding mechanisms of resistance to these recently registered fungicides in key postharvest pathogens of apples and integration of these pre- and postharvest fungicides with other nonchemical approaches not only for control of postharvest fungal diseases but also for management of fungicide resistance in key postharvest pathogens in the orchard/storage system.

 

Keywords: apple; boscalid; fludioxonil; postharvest diseases; pyraclostrobin; pyrimethanil

 

Stewart Postharvest Review 2010, 1:6

Published online 01 March 2010

doi: 10.2212/spr.2010.1.6