Apples are a very important crop in the Netherlands. Elstar is the leading variety and represents 40% of the entire production. Between January and March 2013, after 4-6 months in a controlled atmosphere environment, different warehouses found fruit affected by wet apple core rot.
The disease affected a great number of batches from different production areas in Holland. The apples presented a slight light brown rot which initially developed at the core and then spread to the entire flesh. Pathologists from the University of Wageningen analysed the tissue, isolated the pathogen and sequenced its genome.
Its characteristics were similar to those described for Fusarium avenaceum, which causes wet core rot, and this analysis was later confirmed.
The researchers refer that F. avenaceum had already been detected in apples stored in Croatia and US (Gala apples), but it is the first time it in the Netherlands.
"This was the first time wet apple core rot caused by F. avenaceum was detected in Dutch apples. It is difficult to locate it until the fruit is cut so it is a problem for both producers and consumers. In addition, F. avenaceum can potentially create a lot of mycotoxins, so it also poses a food security problem."
