VIEW ARTICLE

Bruising of Sweet Cherries Resulting in Internal Browning and Increased Susceptibility to Fungi. J. M. Ogawa, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis 95616; Elaine Bose(2), B. T. Manji(3), and W. R. Schreader(4). (2)(3)Staff Research Associate I, and Staff Research Associate IV, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis 95616; and (4)Farm Advisor, San Joaquin County, Stockton, California 95205. Phytopathology 62:579-580. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-579.

Impact bruising during harvest causes internal flesh discoloration followed by exudation of liquid droplets and formation of a slight depression. Bruised fruit were more susceptible to infection by Rhizopus, Monilinia, and Botrytis, whereas Alternaria developed on both bruised and nonbruised fruit. Initial stages of these fungal decay can be mistaken for bruised fruit. Temperatures before and after bruising did not influence the rate of internal discoloration.