Extensive colonization of apples by smut anamorphs causes a new postharvest disorder.
Colonization of apples by ballistoconidium-forming fungi causes a new disorder, here named 'white haze'. White haze may occur in mild form in the field, but only becomes problematic after Ultra-Low Oxygen storage, and, therefore, may be considered as a postharvest disorder. All isolates, obtained using the spore-fall method, were morphologically identified as anamorphs of smut fungi belonging to the genus Tilletiopsis. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 and the ITS domains of the rDNA revealed nine novel taxa scattered among the Exobasidiomycetidae (Ustilaginomycetes). Field experiments confirmed the erratic incidence of white haze over the years, and the development of the disorder seems to be enhanced at lower temperatures and a high relative humidity. Several scab fungicide treatments showed diminishing effects on the incidence of white haze.
Boekhout
Teun
T
Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, the Netherlands. boekhout@cbs.knaw.nl
Gildemacher
Peter
P
Theelen
Bart
B
Müller
Wally H
WH
Heijne
Bart
B
Lutz
Matthias
M
D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000032:analysis; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D027845:Malus / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer