Target Spot in Apples

Target Spot (also called Ripe Rot) occurs on apples, but not considered a major problem generally. Target Spot lesion is circular, flat to slightly sunken and appears light brown to dark brown with a lighter brown to tan center. Decayed tissue is firm. Cream-colored spore masses in the aged decayed area may appear. It commonly originates from infection at lenticels on the fruit skin, at stem-end. More commonly seen in Golden Delicious and Gala apples, particularly on the fruit from orchards with over-tree evaporative cooling or irrigation.