2 BULLETIN 924, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
The economic importance of this blemish is chiefly due to the 
financial loss which the grower sustains as a result of the lowered 
market value of the affected fruit, which is rendered unsightly and 
unattractive. However, tear-stained fruit seems to possess flavor 
and keeping qualities essentially equal to fruit which is free from 
these markings. 
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. 
A careful survey of the literature reveals the fact that very little 
has been published on the subject. The cause of tear-stain was 
investigated and first reported on by Rolfs (7), 1 who is quoted as 
follows : 
This peculiar form of russeting manifests itself by streaks running over the fruit 
from the side that hangs uppermost to the point which is nearest the ground. The 
cause of this peculiar form of russeting is that somevrhere above the fruit a twig 
occurs which has been infested by the fungus 2 and which contains the hold-over 
spores. Whenever sufficient rain or dew occurs to cause a dripping from the disease- 
infected twig on to the fruit, the disseminating spores are liberated from the twig 
and carried with the rain or dew over the epidermis of the fruit. Many of the spores 
are left along in different places, and these produce sufficient irritation to the epi- 
dermis to cause russeting along in streaks; hence we have the peculiar form of tear 
staining or tear streaks. 
Again in 1911 Rolfs (8) discussed the subject as follows: 
Russeting and tear streaking can nearly always be traced back for their begin n ing 
to a small dead spur or sprig. The fungus 2 lives in the dead spur or sprig. Water 
from rains and moisture following heavy dews collect in drops on these sprigs or 
spurs and the drops when they fall cany with them numerous fungous spores. These 
spores come in contact with the epidermis of the fruits and germinate, causing 
minute lesions on the epidermis, too small for complete infection and the production 
of anthracnose. 
This explanation as presented by Rolfs, to the effect that Col- 
Jetotrichum gloeosporioides is the responsible agent, seems to have 
been accepted by several investigators at various times, among 
them Fawcett (2-5), Stevens (9), Stevenson (10), and Matz (6). 
On the other hand, Earle and Rogers (1) recognized in the Isle 
of Pines two types of russeting or tear staining said to be easily 
distinguishable, the one attributed to rust mites and the other 
thought to be caused by a fungus. In discussing wither-tip they 
make the following statement: 
One of the serious troubles attributed to the wither-tip fungus in Florida is that 
water washing down from infected twigs will cause the serious discoloration of the 
fruit known as tear streaking. The discoloration is often confused with the work of 
the rust mite, though it is easily distinguished. It frequently occurs here and can 
be always traced to some dead twig, but we are still uncertain whether it is due to the 
secretions of the wither-tip fungus or the Diplodia. 
- The serial numbers in parentheses refer to "Literature cited" at the end of this bulletin. 
* Colletotrichuvi gloeosporioitfes, mentioned in the context. 
