Fruit Rot of Peach (Prunus persica) Caused by Phytophthora cactorum

Phytophthora cactorum에 의한 복숭아 과일역병

A severe brown rot on peach fruit caused by a Phytophthora sp. has occurred at peach orchards in Taegu of Korea from late June to early August in 1997. Infected fruits showed irregularly round or circular water soaking brown regions. In the severe case, fruits were entirely rotten and surface of the fruits were wrinkled. Occasionally, white mycelia and abundant sporangia were developed on the surface of fruit. Inner tissues of the fruits were also discolored to brown. The causal fungus was identified as Phytophthora cactorum based on following characteristics. Sporangia were ovoid, conspicuously papillate, caducous and measured as 28.4~48.1$\times$21.9~37.2 (av. 39.9$\times$30.4) ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Sexuality of the fungus was homothallic. Oogonia were 25.0~34.0 (av. 29.9) ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in size. Most antheridia were paragynous and measured av. 10.5$\times$13.0 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Optimum temperature for mycelia growth was around 25~3$0^{\circ}C$. However none of the isolates grew under 7$^{\circ}C$ and over 35$^{\circ}C$. The fungus revealed high pathogenicity to fruits, shoots and leaves of peach, apple and pear with different degrees. Phytophthora fruit rot of peach caused by Phytophthora cactorum has not been reported in Korea previously.