ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to outline some of the general characteristics of the brown rot Monilinia spp., to discuss how fruits are colonized, and then to describe the cytology, histology, and histochemistry of mummified fruits. It highlights some of the characteristics of both the host and fungus that contribute to the form and chemical composition of mummies of the common rot fungi. The genus Monilinia belongs to the family Sclerotiniaceae of the Discomycetes, a subdivision of the Ascomycotina. The disjunctor Monilinia spp. differ from the nondisjunctor forms in that they have narrow host ranges, are of restricted regional distribution, and attack immature fruits and leaves. The main intracellular reserves that have been detected in mature stromata of Monilinia spp. are glycogen, protein, polyphosphate, and lipid. Monilinia spp. cause considerable damage to fruits of rosaceous trees. M. fructicola, M. fructigena, and M. laxa are the most common and extensively studied species and are important pathogens of stone fruits, apples, and pears.
