ABSTRACT
Phlyctema vagabunda is responsible for significant postharvest losses in 'Cripps Pink' apples in South Africa. The first objective of this study was to determine the presence and incidence of P. vagabunda on stored commercial 'Cripps Pink' apple in five major pome fruit growing regions in the Western Cape. As the fungus remains latent until postharvest, the second objective was to develop a rapid molecular detection tool to determine the presence of P. vagabunda on asymptomatic 'Cripps Pink' apples from two commercial orchards. Postharvest disease incidence in 'Cripps Pink' apples in the Western Cape ranged from 0 to 73% in the 2010/2011, 0 to 6% in 2011/2012, and 0 to 30% in 2012/2013 seasons. P. vagabunda spores were also detected on 'Cripps Pink' fruit from December to February and from March to April. In December and January, P. vagabunda spores were detected on the 'Hillieri' crab apple pollinator. The knowledge that P. vagabunda conidia are present on the surface of 'Cripps Pink' apples and 'Hillieri' crab apples during the growing season could be applied to improving current management practices in the orchards.
