Sooty blotch (P. fructicola and others) and flyspeck (Zygophiala jamaicensis and others) are very serious pests of Midwestern apples.

The threat of this disease induces Midwestern growers to spray protectant fungicides every 10-14 days throughout the summer. This spray program can be expensive, and it leaves pesticide residue on the apples. Additionally, the pending de-registration of Benlate and Captan, standard fungicides, by the EPA leaves growers in need of new management options.

We have investigated two potential controls for sooty blotch and flyspeck: disease warning systems, Strobilurins fungicides, and post harvest dips.