Several Fungal Spp.

Fungal Disease

Mummification and fruit rot in pomegranates are severe issues caused by several fungal pathogens, each contributing to fruit decay and impacting overall crop quality and yield.

Fruit Rot

In addition to Colletotrichum species and D. punicae, which cause significant fruit rot, Pilidiella granati is another notable fungal pathogen associated with pomegranate fruit rot.

• Symptoms: The rot starts with a brown discoloration on the fruit surface, which progresses into the rinds and arils. As the fruit decays, abundant black pycnidia become visible as small raised black dots on the surface.
• Associated Symptoms: P. granati can also cause stem blight and leaf spots. On leaves, the spots often have concentric rings of pycnidia.

Mummification

Towards the end of the growing season, fruit infected by P. granati becomes dry and mummified. This mummified fruit can have various outcomes:

• Fruit Drop: Nearly 50% of mummified fruit drops from the tree, while the rest remain attached.
• Pathogen Isolation: Mummified fruit often harbors multiple pathogens, including Colletotrichum spp., N. parvum, L. theobromae, D. punicae, and P. granati.

Management

To mitigate the impact of these diseases, it is crucial to:

• Remove Mummified and Rotting Fruit: Regularly remove mummified and rotting fruit from orchards during and between growing seasons to prevent the spread and carryover of fungal inoculum.

Effective orchard management practices, including timely removal of infected fruit and monitoring for fungal pathogens, are essential to control fruit rot and mummification and to maintain the health and productivity of pomegranate trees.