Michigan cherries advice from MSU

Alternaria fruit rot - Alternaria spp.

Alternaria fruit rot is a minor problem on sweet and tart cherries. The disease is most severe on overripe fruit or where rain-induced cracking or various physical injuries expose the flesh to infection. Lesions are circular to oblong and slightly sunken, later be-coming firm, flattened and wrinkled, and often dark- green to black be-cause of abundant sporulation by the pathogen.


Alternaria rot on dark (left) and gold (right) sweet cherries.

Additional information

For more monitoring information and evaluation of available pesticides:
Michigan Fruit Management Guide
MSU Diagnostic Services for assistance in pest identification.
MSU Fruit Crop Advisory Team Alert newsletters for current pest/crop conditions.

Images on this page provided by Alan L. Jones.

This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Stone Fruits by David Epstein, Larry J. Gut, Alan L. Jones and Kimberly Maxson-Stein. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2840).

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Funding support: Project GREEEN, the Michigan Cherry Committee and the MSU IPM Program. Read disclaimer. Web developed by: J.N. Landis.
Updated: 03/03/08