MARKET DISEASES OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 23 



distinguishing them. Therefore, no attempt is made here to sep- 

 arate them. 



Spores that cause bull's-eye rot are present when the fruit 

 is stored. The rot develops slowly at cold-storage temperatures 

 and makes its appearance on apples late in the storage season, 

 during transit, and on the market. It does not spread from one 

 fruit to another. All varieties are susceptible, but the rot is most 

 frequently seen on Winesap, Yellow Newtown, and Delicious. 



The spots of bull's-eye rot may be only specks, but they are 

 mostly 1/2 to 1 inch across. They may occur singly or may be 

 numerous. The color may be pale yellowish cream or uniformly 

 brown, but a spot is most often brown with a pale center that 

 forms a bull's-eye (pi. 7, C, D). The spots are flat to sunken, 

 and the rotted tissue is firm. The surface skin does not break 

 easily under slight pressure. The rot may be shallow or nearly as 

 deep as wide. In the deeper rots the penetration is more or less 

 U-shaped. Ordinarily the decayed tissue is somewhat mealy and 

 does not separate readily from the healthy tissue. Spore tufts of 

 the causal fungus may or may not be present on the surface of 

 the rot, but those that are present are short, wet, and cream- 

 colored and protrude through the skin. 



Bull's-eye rot closely resembles fisheye rot, but it can be dis- 

 tinguished from it by being less firm and having a mealy texture. 

 In fisheye rot the surface is tougher, and the decayed tissue is 

 dry and stringy. Fisheye rot may be accompanied by mold, con- 

 sisting of white cobweblike strands spreading over the surface 

 of the fruit. 



Bull's-eye rot may also be confused with side rot at times, but 

 generally it is quite distinct when examined closely. The skin 

 over areas affected with side rot is very tender and breaks readily 

 under slight pressure. Side rot is usually shallow, saucer-shaped, 

 and wet and is easily scooped out from the healthy tissue. 



CONTROL MEASURES 



The decay is usually worse when rain is prevalent during har- 

 vest and when the apples are delayed in reaching cold-storage tem- 

 peratures. Prompt storage and cooling of the fruit will, therefore, 

 prolong its life and reduce decay. Sodium chloro-2-phenylphenate 

 is being used as a disinfecting wash in the Northwest to reduce 

 bull's-eye and other rots on stored apples. (See Pears, Gray Mold 

 Rot, p. 59.) 



(See 12, 26, 59, 60, 65, 72, 11U, 136, 1U, 1U5.) 



Chemical Injuries 



injury by salt, lime, or fertilizer 



When railroad cars are used for the shipment of salted hides, 

 salt, lime, or fertilizers, either in bags or in barrels, there is 

 usually some spilling onto the car floor and walls. If such cars are 

 used afterward for shipment of fruit in bulk, there is bound to 

 be, at various places, close contact under pressure between the 

 spilled chemical and the fruit. When this occurs, the skin and 

 underlying flesh of the fruits immediately in contact with the 

 chemical become brown and leathery. If salt is the chemical 



