A Scarfskin-iike Disorder of Apples1

Abstract

Abstract For about 20 years we have noticed a disorder on fruits of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) in our orchards that appears near harvest as red color develops. This disorder usually starts on the upper (stem end) inside cheek as a finely stippled whitish area ranging from a trace to the whole fruit being covered and produces a milky appearance with greatly reduced red color. In severe outbreaks the cuticle becomes slightly roughened but usually the surface is smooth. The disorder has become a serious economic concern especially in ‘Rome Beauty’ grown in sandy soils. The disorder lowers the grade because affected fruit (>15% of surface covered) is classified by the U.S. Federal-State Inspection Service as a “smooth russet” defect.