Search

Disease status (Sooty blotch and fly speck)

Sooty blotch and fly speck are two distinct diseases of apple, but usually occur together. The fungi cause a discolouration or blemish on near-mature fruit in the orchard. The blemish is superficial and downgrades the fruit and hence reduces the market …

Read more...

Varietal susceptibility (Sooty blotch and fly speck)

All apple varieties are susceptible to infection, but the diseases are usually more severe on yellow or light-coloured varieties such as Golden Delicious, Cox and Fiesta Several of the scab-resistant varieties, such as Edward Seventh, can be badly …

Read more...

Symptoms and recognition (Sooty blotch and fly speck)

In the orchard sooty blotch and fly speck are most commonly found on fruit on trees near windbreaks/hedgerows and in the shadiest part of the tree or orchard. Sooty blotch Olive green to dull black sooty blotches appear on near mature fruit in the …

Read more...

Cultural control (Sooty blotch and fly speck)

Select an orchard site that has good sunlight, good air circulation and soil drainage. Prune trees to reduce shading and encourage good air circulation. Both sooty blotch and fly speck are encouraged by shading and wet conditions. Therefore, any pruning …

Read more...