Postharvest fungal diseases of pomegranates in southern Italy

Abstract

High-value trade and favorable climate have encouraged pomegranate cultivation and processing in Italy, where Akko and Wonderful are the most widespread cultivars. In this agro-industrial chain, fungal pathogens are chiefly responsible for product losses. Most of the infections happen in the field during blooming, remaining latent till storage and sale; important losses can be caused also by pathogens getting entrance during harvest and postharvest due to wounds created by “wound” fungi, pests, and abiotic damages. Being a minor crop, conventional and alternative fungicides are scarce, making control of fungal pathogens very difficult. To reduce disease incidence, description of mold symptoms and characterization of fungal etiological agents represent a key-step. Disease incidence of fungal species from symptomatic fruit was assessed according to morphological and molecular features. Main fungal diseases were gray mold, blue mold, black heart, black spot, anthracnose, and dry rot. Results showed latent pathogens as the main cause of rots, being the most abundant Alternaria alternata, Coniella granati, and Botrytis cinerea. Furthermore, among wound pathogens different species within Penicillium and Talaromyces genera were recorded. Other genera involved in minor postharvest diseases were Aspergillus, Colletotrichum, and Cytospora. To develop effective control strategies, knowledge of pomegranate fungal pathogens is needed facilitating decision systems to play a leading role.