Bitter Pit of Apple
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Bitter pit is characterized by small dark pits located around the calyx end of fruit that show up late in the season or in storage. This condition is caused by a fruit calcium deficiency.
Bitter pit internal and external symptoms.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Maintain soil pH at approxi-mately 6.5
- Avoid excessive nitrogen
- Apply calcium chloride in cover sprays to move calcium through fruit skin
- Dip fruit in a calcium solution prior to storage
