Compilation of a database of high-quality images of pome fruit disorders from South African growing and storage conditions to contribute to the further development of software-based determination (APP) for the detection and reduction of bearing damage in fruit (Frudistor) in an international context

Compilation of an extensive database of high-quality images representing the disorders occurring on deciduous pome fruit.

High-definition professional quality photographs have been taken with a 24 MP camera using a 60 mm macro lens fitted with extension tubes and/or close-up filters, and using sophisticated flash photography and specialized augmented lighting. Fruit samples were photographed at different planes and details of the disorder recorded.

This project set out to photographically record the most common disorders found in pome fruit and in addition capture new and interesting disorders across cultivars and fruit kinds.

This has now successfully been completed, with samples primarily collected from the ExperiCo laboratories, but also with some invaluable assistance from packhouses, and other industry players.

There are currently 40 pear disorders recorded in the database (21 external and 6 internal disorders, 9 diseases and 4 insects) and 142 apple disorders (72 external and 34 internal disorders, 19 diseases and 17 insects) in 2022.

Several disorders still need to be positively identified. A group of key people are currently assisting in confirming certain of the disorders depicted on the photographs and providing consensus on the naming of different disorders.  A continually updated Disorder Matrix assists in locating missing examples.

This project has resulted in the compilation of a library of high-definition images that record common disorders in South African deciduous fruit. This work should be seen as an organic project with images continually being updated as better examples are made available. As there are only a limited number of physiological and environmental disorders on apples and pears, individual libraries are being built up on a cultivar, rather than just a disorder level. This will enable the generation of fact sheets per cultivar that include examples characteristic to a particular disorder and variety. A matrix listing gaps in the database is proving an effective, targeted means of focusing on missing examples.

The industry can look forward to an excellent guide on the common (and less common) disorders of apples and pears hopefully made available as an easy-to-use App which will be regularly updated as better images are made available and as new disorders occur.