Pest identification
and confirmation—Rhizopus rot
Rhizopus rot is often confused with gray mold. However, fruit infected with Rhizopus leaks its contents,
whereas fruit infected with gray mold does not leak.
The fungal growth formed on Rhizopus-infected fruit can be distinguished from gray mold by examining
it with a hand lens. Tiny but conspicuous, spherical spore-forming structures called sporangia
are present, each one on the end of a hairlike stalk about 0.10 inch long. Sporangia are white when
first
formed and turn black as they mature. Botrytis does not form sporangia, although masses of spores
resembling tiny clusters of grapes may sometimes be seen. Both Botrytis and Rhizopus can be present
on the same fruit. |
Sporangia
of Rhizopus rot
Spores of Botrytis rot
|
