Pink mold rot

Cephalothecium roseum (often synonymous with Trichothecium roseum) is a fungal pathogen belonging to the Ascomycota division. It functions primarily as a wound parasite, meaning it exploits existing physical damage on fruit surfaces to initiate infection and colonize the host tissues.

The fungus is widely recognized for causing pink mold rot, a significant post-harvest disease affecting apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, and various cucurbits. The primary symptom is the appearance of fluffy, pale pink to salmon-colored fungal mats on the fruit surface, which eventually lead to deep tissue decay and a bitter taste.

The biological cycle involves the production of conidia that are dispersed by wind, splashing rain, or insects. Once these spores land on a compromised site—such as a crack, an insect bite, or a scab lesion—they germinate. The mycelium secretes enzymes that break down plant cell walls, leading to rapid softening and browning of the internal fruit tissues.

Environmental factors play a critical role in the severity of the infection. Cephalothecium roseum thrives in conditions of high humidity (above 80-85%) and moderate temperatures. In storage facilities, poor air circulation and high-density packing create microclimates that allow the fungus to spread rapidly from infected fruits to healthy neighbors.

Effective management requires an integrated approach. Farmers should prioritize orchard hygiene by removing mummified fruits, controlling pests that cause skin damage, and ensuring careful harvesting to prevent bruises. Post-harvest, maintaining a strict cold chain and low-humidity storage environment is essential to suppress spore germination and mycelial growth.

• Infection of pome and stone fruits.
• Distinctive salmon-pink spore masses.
• Secondary infection via harvest wounds.
• Reduced storage life and market quality.