Brown Rot of Apricot and Mume Caused by Phomopsis vexans

Brown rot symptoms severely occurred on fruits of apricot and mume grown in Changnyeong, Suwon and Yeongi in Korea during a disease survey in June 2002. A total of 32 isolates of Phomopsis sp. was obtained from the fruit rot symptoms. All isolates were identified as Phomopsis vexans based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. Four isolates of the fungus were tested for pathogenicity to fruits of apricot and mume by artificial inoculation. All isolates induced brown rot symptoms on the fruits of apricot and mume by wound inoculation. Unwounded inoculation also induced symptoms on mume fruits but not on apricot fruits. The symptoms on the fruits induced by artificial inoculation were similar to those observed in the orchard. The pathogenicity tests revealed that mume was more susceptible to the pathogen than apricot. This is the first report of brown rot of apricot and mume caused by P. vexans.