Studies on the Pear Abnormal Leaf Spot Disease 1. Occurrence and Damage

배나무잎 이상반점증상에 관한 연구 1. 발생상황과 피해

A new unidentified pear leaf spot disease presumed to first occur in the late 1970's has recently become prevalent over the pear growing areas, and caused the greatest problem for pear production in Korea. The disease began to develop on pear leaves at mid- to late May, peaked at mid- to late une, but stopped further development until September in cool climate. Leaf lesions are 0.9∼2.5 mm in diam., oval or irregular to rectangular in shape, first appeared reddish purple, later changed to dark brown, and to whitish grey in the late season. Lesions were limited to appear only on the mature, hardened leaves, initially from leaf margin or near the leaf veins, and later scattered over the leaf surface. Individual lesions usually did not enlarge, but often coalesced each other, commonly causing shot holes and eventual early falling. The disease was most severe on the major pear cultivars Niitaka and Okusankichi ranged with 4 to 100% infections in trees, depending on the orchards, but not on the cultivar Chojuro. Damages from the disease included lower fruit weight, and higher acid and less sugar content in fruits, resulting in lowering the overall fruit quality. Etiology of the disease including identification of the causal organism is in a separate paper.