Knowledgebase
What is wrong with apples and how to correct the problem #876480
Asked July 09, 2024, 11:06 AM EDT
Montmorency County Michigan
Expert Response
Yes, the spots on your apples is apple scab. It is a common fungal disease that affects apple leaves early in the season, and if it is not controlled, the disease will move to the fruit. It is still edible, but scab lesions on the fruit so early in the season will likely result in fruit cracking and the fruit is not likely to mature. This year was particularly bad for scab with all of our rain, moisture, humidity, and warm weather. Commercial growers also have scab this year.
For future reference, there are some links on scab below. If you are a homeowner, the best material you can use is a bordeaux mixture, which is readily available at your local home and garden store. You can buy it without a pesticide license, and many are labeled organic. We also have an apple scab model on MSU's Enviroweather (http://www.enviroweather.msu.edu). You can click on the map to the weather station closest to you, and then click on crops, apples, and apple scab. This model incorporates local weather to predict apple scab infection. Growers use this model to time their control sprays. It is an excellent tool!
https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/diseases/apple_scab
Dear Joe,
Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online.
YOUR QUESTION #0146398:
What is wrong with apples and how to correct the problem
Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.
This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.
