Phylogenetic Diversity and Phenotypic Characterization of (syn. ) and Causing Postharvest Bull's Eye Rot of Apple in Northern Italy.

Bull's eye rot, caused by and species, is one of the most important postharvest diseases of apple. South Tyrol (northern Italy) is the largest continuous apple-producing area in Europe, with approximately 1 million tons being produced yearly and conserved in technologically advanced storage facilities for several months. Still, studies on the pathogen species causing postharvest bull's eye rot of apple, as well as their diversity and biology, are lacking for this region.

First Report of Causing Bitter Rot of Apple in Italy.

Apple ( Borkh.) is the most important fruit crop in South Tyrol (northern Italy), with a total production of 905.089 tons in 2019 (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture of Bozen-Bolzano 2020).