Imagine this scenario with me: you’re examining your fruit trees, several that you’ve been growing for years.Much to your horror, most of your apples have come down with
06.06.2023 - 15:46 / gardenerspath.com / Helga George
How to Prevent Rhizopus Rot of Stone Fruits Rhizopus stoloniferRhizopus is an insidious fungus that can rot ripe apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums. The most common infections are caused by Rhizopus stolonifer, although there are other species that can also be involved.
The soft rot caused by this fungus is either the most serious postharvest infection of stone fruits or the second most serious depending on where you live.
While this fungus can infect ripe fruit on a tree, it can really go to town on postharvest produce. It can destroy a whole crate of fruit if the temperatures are right.
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And even canned apricots or peaches are not safe! While heating may kill the fungi, their pectic enzymes persist and can destroy a can over time.
However, there are steps you can take to prevent Rhizopus from rotting your crop. We at Gardener’s Path will describe the steps you can take to save your harvest.
Symptoms of Rhizopus RotThe infection starts out as a circular tan area around an island of fruit that looks healthy.
However, appearances can be deceiving. All of the skin in the area will become tan to brown within a few hours.
A classic symptom that indicates that Rhizopus is the cause is that the skin will slip off from the flesh if you put slight pressure on it.
Next, fluffy white growth of the fungus becomes visible near the center and rapidly colonizes the whole area.
Within 24 hours of the time the infection starts, the fungus turns black as it produces enormous quantities of spores.
This has been described as looking like your fruit have whiskers.
At warmer temperatures, the rot will spread over the entire surface and
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