What symptom is characteristic of brown rot?

Brown rot primarily affects stone fruits, such as peaches, cherries, and plums, and is caused by fungi belonging to the genus Monilinia. A key characteristic symptom associated with brown rot is the presence of blighted fruit. This symptom manifests as a soft decay and browning of the fruit, often accompanied by a fuzzy, grayish appearance due to the growth of fungal spores. The blight typically begins at the fruit surface and can spread to other areas, leading to the entire fruit becoming mushy and unmarketable.

The other potential symptoms listed do not align with the specifics of brown rot. For instance, wilting is more commonly associated with water stress or root issues rather than a fungal disease like brown rot. Water-soaked lesions are indicative of other types of diseases or conditions, such as bacterial infections, where lesions begin as damp, dark areas. Root rot affects the underground portions of plants and is caused by different pathogens, notably in wetter soil conditions. Thus, the prominence of blight as a visual cue of brown rot reinforces its classification as the correct symptom associated with this devastating fruit disease.