Fungal contaminants of Pyrus communis var. bambinella : macroscopic and molecular characterisation

Abstract

Produce such as pear fruits are prone to post-harvest diseases caused by fungi or bacteria and can occur at any stage from harvest to consumption. Such organisms may cause soft spots or light brown lesions on fruit and this may lead to advanced fungal invasion, which is clearly seen by a variety of coloured mouldy growths on fruit. Fungal pathogens cause premature fruit spoilage of ‘Bambinella’, known as Maltese June Pear, a fruit endemic to the Maltese Islands.