Context

Sour rot is an emerging disease affecting stone fruit. In recent years, its incidence has increased, and on occasion the losses can be similar to those caused by Monilinia spp, the main pathogen affecting stone fruit. Commercially available synthetic chemicals currently applied in the field and/or post-harvest are not effective in controlling it. Furthermore, it is already known that this disease is not only caused by Geotrichum spp. but is also caused by a consortium of micro-organisms including yeasts of the genus Pichia spp. This fact further complicates their control, as the epidemiology and the effectiveness of the products must be studied in parallel for both types of micro-organisms. This project will look deeper into the epidemiology of the disease, both in the field and during post-harvest, and will focus on control strategies both in the field and during post-harvest, including alternative products and systems. In addition, cultural practices to be applied in the field will be studied to determine their effectiveness for controlling sour rot. Finally, all the knowledge generated and control tools that end up being effective will be integrated into a single control strategy that will be validated at the commercial level.