Abstract: Abscission of grape berries during the storage is aserious factor that affects the quality of grape. The abscission is caused physiologically or as a result of the damage from fungal infection. In the present study, some fungi were isolated from grape berries dropped and inoculated into healthy fruits to verify their involvement in the postharvest abscission of grape berries during the storage. Of seven fungi isolated, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria ssp. and Fusarium sp. were shown to be the pathogens causing the postharvest abscission of
the inoculated berries. Moreover, the fungicide treatment of the postharvest berrieswas effective for preserving the berrieswithout abscission. These results strongly suggest the involvement of some pathogenic fungi in the
postharvest abscission of grape berries during the storage.

Key words: Grape, Abscission, Pathogenic fungi, Postharvest disease, Botrytis cinerea