Fungi associated with leaf spots and post‐harvest fruit rots of kiwifruit ( <i>Actinidia chinensis</i> ) in New Zealand

Abstract

Summary A survey was undertaken to identify pathogenic fungi associated with leaf spots and postharvest fruit rots of kiwifruit; and to determine possible sources of infection of fruit rot fungi. Isolations from diseased leaves and from flowers most frequently yielded species of Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Diaporthe , and Phoma , whereas the most frequently isolated fungi from both sound and rotting fruit were Diaporthe species. The latter were isolated from a wide variety of other hosts which can act as sources of infection. Descriptions of the most commonly isolated fungi are given.