Summary: The objectives for this project were: Objectives in 2002: 1. Conduct packinghouse surveys to determine the occurrence of Phacidiopycnis rot and rots caused by other pathogens in storage. 2. Test in vitro sensitivity of the fungus, Phacidiopycnis piri, to various fungicides in order to develop a fungicide program for control of this disease. 3. Evaluate the effectiveness and timing of postharvest treatments with fungicides (thiabendazole, TBZ and fludioxonil, Scholar) and biocontrol agents for control of Phacidiopycnis fruit rot. Objectives in 2003: 1. Determine when Phacidiopycnis piri inoculum is available for fruit infection in the orchard. 2. Determine when fruits are infected in the orchard by the fungus P. piri. 3. Evaluate effects of selected fungicides on the fungus P. piri. 4. Evaluate effectiveness of fungicides and biocontrol agents to control Phacidiopycnis rot. Objectives in 2004: 1. Determine when Phacidiopycnis piri inoculum is available for fruit infection in the orchard. 2. Determine seasonal susceptibility of pear fruit to infection by P. piri in the orchard. 3. Determine non-target effects of preharvest fungicides on P. piri in the orchard. 4. Evaluate effectiveness of pre- and postharvest treatments with fungicides in controlling Phacidiopycnis rot.
