MYB transcription factors (TFs) participate in many biological processes. However, the molecular mechanisms by which MYB TFs affect plant resistance to apple ring rot remain poorly understood. Here, the R2R3-MYB gene was cloned from " " apples and functionally characterized as a positive regulator of the defense response to . qRT-PCR and GUS staining demonstrated that was strongly induced in apple fruits and transgenic calli after inoculation with . overexpression improved resistance to in apple calli and fruits, while suppression weakened. Increased resistance to was also observed in -expressing . Interestingly, salicylic acid (SA) contents and the expression levels of genes related with SA synthesis and signaling were greater in -overexpressing plant materials compared to wild-type controls after inoculation, suggesting that MdMYB73 might enhance resistance to the SA pathway. Finally, we discovered that MdMYB73 interacts with MdWRKY31, a positive regulator of . Together, MdWRKY31 and MdMYB73 enhanced resistance in apples. Our results clarify the mechanisms by which MdMYB73 improves resistance to and suggest that resistance may be affected by regulating the SA pathway.