A New Problem of Apricot: White Fleck

Abstract

Apricot is one of the most cultivated crop of stone fruits in Turkey. Malatya is particularly known as the most important apricot producer province both at national and international level. Before drying the apricot, sulphur is applied to the harvested fresh fruits in order to achieve the best coloration and protection from post harvest diseases and pests. In the course of this survey, a new problem has been identified, responsible in some cases for a 30 % yield loss. Following the sulphur application, white, round areas, fibrous in structure and slightly swollen, with a diameter ranging from 0.5 to 5 mm were observed on dried apricots. These symptoms are not visible before sulphur application. A series of tests, such as soil and leaf analysis, biological indexing and ELISA test for virus already known and not vet referenced in this region, and insect feeding trials, especially with sap sucking insects, were conducted for the determination of the origin of the syndrome. At the end of the trials the causal agent was determined as a sap-sucking insect, Aphodiphus amygdali (family: Pentatomidae). Investigations are still in course for the determination of other possible species of the family that can be responsible for such injury and loss.