Alternaria fungus affects apples in Spain
Since the first symptoms appeared in Golden apple plantations, in 2009, the crops affected by the Alternaria alternata are already 20% of all Gala and Golden delicious varieties in the Spanish province of Gerona.
The first symptoms of the disease appear at the end of springtime and increase through the crop cycle as the temperature increases, the presence of rain or high humidity.
The symptoms the apple show are superficial necrotic spots. The affected fruits can’t be commercialized and the leaves may fall prematurely.
This fungus causes problems in other apple producing areas of Europe and the world, like Italy, US and Australia, to name a few.
The Alternaria also affects other plant species, especially some horticultural crops and other fruit trees, with notable damages to varieties of mandarin from the Spanish Levante.
Source: agronegocios.es