Management of Alternaria leaf and fruit spot in apples

Abstract

Fungicide trials in New South Wales and Queensland have revealed that different Alternaria species are responsible for Alternaria-like leaf and fruit symptoms in each state. This has resulted in slightly different fungicide spray programs being most effective in each state.
We found that more than one species of Alternaria can cause symptoms on apple leaves and fruit in Australian orchards.
Further, Alternaria is a common, widespread fungus in Australian apple orchards, with species similar to those causing production losses in Queensland and New South Wales detected in all major production areas in Australia.