Nutritional & Physiological Fruit Injury

 

Bitter Pit: BP is a series of slightly sunken, purplish spots in the fruit. It is most common on Cortland, sometimes Delicious. Large fruit are more prone to this, especially in dry years. This is sign of a nutritional deficiency (calcium).

Calcium deficiency: In other varieties, scattered purplish spots could be signs of calcium deficiency.

Frost (or Frost Ring): A grainy patch that encircles the calyx end of the fruit. Very low temperatures around time of fruit set or early fruit growth seem to be associated with this injury.

Russet: Russet is a grainy patch or grainy network on the skin. Causes are weather conditions, sometimes in combination with pesticides, spray adjuvants, or other sprayed materials. Some varieties are especially prone to develop russet in humid regions or seasons, like Golden Delicious. Golden Delicious fruit grown in Washington State (where it is dry) are smooth skinned.

Crack: Well... it’s a visible crack in the fruit, sometimes up to ½ inch deep. Most commonly this is in the calyx end. Macoun is one variety where this is sometimes seen.