Neofabraea inaequalis

Neofabraea inaequalis is a pathogenic fungus that causes a specific type of fruit rot in pome fruit crops. This disease is part of the complex of fungal infections that cause post-harvest decay, frequently observed in cold storage facilities. In modern mycology, it is closely related to other species of the Neofabraea genus, which are responsible for the development of "bullseye rot" in apples and pears.

The primary hosts for this pathogen are apple and pear trees. The infection causes significant economic losses in commercial orchards because the symptoms often remain latent during the growing season and only manifest after the fruit has been placed into cold storage, making inspection and sorting highly challenging.

Early symptoms appear as small, light brown to dark brown spots on the fruit skin, which gradually expand. A diagnostic characteristic is the formation of concentric rings within the lesion, resembling a target or "bullseye." As the infection progresses, the underlying flesh becomes soft, water-soaked, and may develop a bitter taste. Under humid conditions, small, creamy-colored fungal fruiting bodies appear on the surface of the lesions.

The development of the disease is strongly correlated with cool and wet weather conditions occurring towards the end of the growing season. The pathogen survives on infected twigs, mummified fruits remaining on the tree, and in bark cankers. Spores are primarily dispersed by rain splashes and wind, entering the fruit through lenticels, microscopic skin cracks, or wounds caused by insect feeding.

Effective management strategies include:

• Sanitary pruning to remove infected branches and twigs.
• Removal and destruction of mummified fruits from both the tree and the orchard floor.
• Application of protective fungicides during the pre-harvest period if the infection pressure is high.
• Maintaining optimal conditions in storage facilities, including controlled atmosphere systems.
• Integrated pest management to prevent physical damage to the fruit skin by insects.