scholarly journals Effect of pruning on disease incidence of apple scab and powdery mildew in integrated and organic apple production

Author(s):  
I. J. Holb

In a three-year study, the effect of two winter pruning treatments (strong and weak) on apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) was evaluated on six apple cultivars (`Rewena', `Elstar', 'Liberty', 'Gala', 'Pilot' and `Jonica') in two environmentally-benign apple production systems (integrated and organic). Results on apple scab showed that compared to the integrated production system, the pathogen caused significantly more infection on the leaves of cvs. `Elstar', 'Gala' and `Jonica' in the organic production system. The effect of pruning treatments on apple scab was mainly detectable on the cultivars susceptible to the disease such as cvs. 'Gala' and `Jonica'. The weak pruning correlated with a higher level of apple scab infection than the strong pruning, especially in the organic production system. Primary mildew infection was very low in both protection systems (below 2 %), therefore, effect of pruning on primary mildew infection could not be analysed. Low secondary mildew incidence was detected in the organically treated orchard part; however, incidence of powdery mildew was significantly higher (P> 0.05) on cvs. 'Elstar', 'Pilot' and `Jonica' in the integrated orchard part compared to cvs. 'Gala', 'Rewena' and 'Liberty'. The highest incidence of mildew was on cv. 'Elstar'. Pruning had very low effect on incidence of secondary mildew infection on leaves.

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Dremák ◽  
Á. Csihon ◽  
I. Gonda

Success of apple production is highly influenced by the applied production system and the planted cultivar. In this paper growing characteristics of 39 apple cultivars were studied in integrated and organic production systems. These kind of parameters are less studied in the cultivar and training system examinations, although they have huge effect on the training and maintaining of canopy, on the pruning necessity, ultimately on the production costs. According to our results the thickness of the central axis of apple trees showed significant differences between the integrated and the organic systems. Axis of the trees with lower trunk thickness tapers more slightly in the integrated production system, than in the case of the trees with thicker trunk in the organic system. Thicker axis is not accompanied by thicker trunk, namely the thickness of the central leader starts to decrease stronger in the organic production system, compared to the integrated one.


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Holb ◽  
M. Fazekas ◽  
F. Abonyi ◽  
P. Lakatos ◽  
S. Thurzó ◽  
...  

Still a large amount of pesticides and spary applications are used in environmentally friendly fruit production systems; therefore, the aim of our study was first to test the in vitro effeicacy of some fungicides against a key apple disease (apple scab), and secondly to evaulate the effectiveness of reduced spray programmes against apple scab, powdery mildew and coding moth in integrated and organic apple orchards. In vitro efficacy of 7 fungicides (Champion 50 WP, Kocide 2000, Nordox 75 WG, Olajos rézkén, Kumulus S, Rézkén, Rézoxiklorid) and another 6 fungicides (Score 25 EC, Efuzin 500 SC, Systane, Folicur Solo, Zato Plusz, Rovral) approved in organic and integrated production systems, respectively, were tested against apple scab. Altogether four spray programmes were performed i) standard integrated: sprays followed by forecasting systems during the season, ii) reduced integrated: sprays followed by forecasting systems but only 75% of the spray numbers used during the season-long spray programme, iii) standard oragnic: sprays applied every 7–14 days during the season and iv) reduced organic: 60% of the spray numbers used during the season-long spray programme. In vitro results showed that fungicides (with active ingredients of copper and sulphur) applied in organic production showed relatively high percent growth capacity of the apple scab fungus. Rézkén showed the highest and Kumilus S the lowest efficacy against apple scab. Fungicides applied in integrated production showed relatively low percent growth capacity of the apple scab fungus. Score 25 EC showed the highest and Rovral the lowest efficacy against apple scab. Field study showed that reduced spray programmes did not increase significantly scab incidence in the integrated field. However, scab incidence increased significanly (above 30%) in the reduced spray programme for the organic orchard.Mildew incidence was low (below 5%) in both integrated and organic spray programmes. Mildew incidence on both shoots and fruits increased significanly in the reduced spray programme for the organic orchard. Incidence of codling moth damage was affected the most by standard vs. reduced spray programmes. Though incidence remained below 10% in the integrated plots, the incidence was significantly higher in the reduced spray programme compared to the standard programme. Similar results were obtained for organic spary programmes, but the incidence was 10 times higher and the differences among the two programmes were larger.,


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Dremák ◽  
Á. Csihon ◽  
I. Gonda

In our study, vegetative characteristics of 39 apple cultivars were evaluated in environmentally friendly production systems. Numbers of the branches of the central leader in different high zones were shown. According to our results, number of the branches of the axis was probably larger in the integrated production system, compared to the organic one, which is related to the conditional status of the trees. Based on our experiences training and maintaining canopies in integrated system was easier, as relative more extensive canopies were needed in organic farming.


1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 162-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean L. Swezey ◽  
Matthew R. Werner ◽  
Marc Buchanan ◽  
Jan Allison

AbstractConventional and organic semidwarf Granny Smith apple production systems were compared during three years of conversion to certified organic management. Because of differences in fruit load with hand thinning compared with chemical thinning, apple tonnage was higher in the organic production system (OPS) in 1989 and 1991. The organic system was higher than the conventional system in number and weight of fruit per tree, but smaller in average fruit size. Using grower-receivedfarmgate premiums of 38% (1990) and 33% (1991) for unsorted, certified organic apples, comparative cost accounting showed greater net return per hectare for the OPS. The OPS required higher material and labor inputs in all years.Greater terminal growth in the conventional production system (CPS) in 1991 was the only significant difference in growth indicators between systems. N was generally higher in leaf and new wood bark tissues in the CPS. P was generally higher in the leaf and new wood bark tissues in the OPS. No decline in yield was associated with increased weed biomass in the OPS. There was no difference in fruit damage caused by codling moth between production system treatments (codling moth granulosis virus and pheromone-based mating disruption vs. synthetic insecticide). In 1991, secondary lepidopterous pests (apple leafroller and orange tortrix) caused greater fruit scarring in the CPS. In all years, tentiform leafminers caused greater leaf damage in the CPS. Apple leafhopper density and leaf damage were greater in the OPS in 1990 and 1991.Soil nutrient levels showed few significant changes during conversion to organic management. Soil bulk density and water holding capacity were useful indicators of changes in soil physical characteristics. Potentially mineralizable nitrogen andmicrobial biomass-C were more sensitive indicators of system change than total N or organic C. Two soil biological ratios, the respiratory ratio and biomass-C/total organic-C, were similar in the two production systems. Earthworm biomass and abundance increased in the OPS in the third year. The introduction ofLumbricus terrestrisinto the OPS greatly increased litter incorporation rates.


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 885-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Kelley ◽  
Jeffrey Hyde ◽  
James Travis ◽  
Robert Crassweller

One hundred forty-nine consumers participated in a sensory evaluation, conducted on 14 Nov. 2008, at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, to determine consumer acceptance and perceptions of scab-resistant apples (Malus ×domestica). Consumers were exclusively screened for liking and eating apples. The study provides tree fruit growers and marketers in the mid-Atlantic United States with information on consumer preferences for apples that might substitute for common cultivars that require frequent apple scab pesticide applications. Resistant cultivars are also attractive in organic production systems. During the 10-minute sensory evaluation, panelists rated five scab-resistant apples [‘Crimson Crisp’, ‘GoldRush’, NY 75907–49 (NY 49), ‘Crimson Topaz’, and ‘Sundance’] and a commercially available non-resistant cultivar, Jonagold, on appearance, aroma, texture, flavor, and overall liking using a nine-point hedonic scale (9 = “like extremely” and 1 = “dislike extremely”). Three of the four apples tested with a red peel (‘Crimson Topaz’, NY 49, and ‘Crimson Crisp’) were rated significantly higher than the other apples on the basis of appearance, receiving mean ratings that were between “like moderately” and “like very much,” a rating of 7 and 8, respectively. In regards to texture, ‘Crimson Topaz’ and ‘Crimson Crisp’ were significantly higher than ‘Jonagold’ and NY 49, with mean ratings between “like slightly” and “like moderately.” For overall liking scores, ‘Crimson Crisp’, which was rated between “like slightly” and “like moderately,” was not significantly different from ‘Crimson Topaz’ and ‘GoldRush’; however, ‘Crimson Crisp’ was rated higher than ‘Jonagold’, NY 49, and ‘Sundance’. Panelists also responded to questions regarding their food-purchasing attitudes and behaviors. Sixty-two percent of panelists purchased fresh apples for themselves and/or other household members at least “two or three times a month” during an average year. Only 2.7% responded that they purchased fresh apples “more than once a week.” This study of consumer preferences provides an initial assessment of the feasibility of marketing new apple cultivars and organic apples within the mid-Atlantic U.S. region. Those that performed well in the sensory evaluation should be candidates for additional market research.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Holb ◽  
A. Rózsa ◽  
F. Abonyi

Effects of two widely used sanitation practices were evaluated at farm-scale level on leaf degradation and primary infection by Venturia inaequalis in an organic apple orchard (Eperjeske) on two apple cultivars (Jonathan and Prima) from 2011 to 2013. The tested sanitation practices were eradication of fallen leaves by collection and disc cultivation. Treatments of eradication of fallen leaves by collection and disc cultivation reduced signifi cantly (P< 0.001) leaf litter density with 70–85 and 40–55%, respectively, compared to untreated plots in both years. Above treatments in the same order reduced spring scab incidence with 40–50, and 10–20%, respectively, compared to untreated plots. Incidence of leaf scab in autumn was not signifi cantly lower (P< 0.05) in the treatments in the years.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Holb

The pathogen and weather components of apple scab disease progress were analysed in a three-year study, in two environmental-friendly production systems (organic and integrated) on cvs. `Idared', `Jonica' and 'Mutsu'. Linear regression analyses of transformed disease incidence and severity data and "area under the disease progress curves" (AUDPC) were used for the analysis of the pathogen component. To evaluate the role of the weather component in apple scab epidemic, first, the weekly disease increase was determined at a certain week (n). Weekly disease increase was related to rainfall, relative humidity, Mills' wetness period, temperature and interaction between temperature and relative humidity. Five different periods were used in the analyses: i) week (n-1), ii) week n(n-1), iii) week (n-2), iv) week (n-1)(n-2) and v) week n(n-1)(n-2). In the analyses of the pathogen component, the best transformation function was the logistic one. Regression analyses showed that disease growth rates were higher for disease incidence and for the organic production system than for disease severity and for the integrated production system, respectively. Disease growth rates for leaf incidence were higher than fruit incidence on all the three cultivars. AUDPC values showed great differences in both leaf and fruit incidences among cultivars and between the two production systems. The results the of analyses of the weather component showed that the best relationships between disease increase and weather parameters were found for fruit incidence and leaf incidence in week (n-2) in the organic and integrated production systems, respectively. Results also demonstrated that in week n(n-1) temperature played a more important role in the fungus development than the water parameters (relative humidity, rainfall and leaf wetness). Consequently, infection process is significantly dependent on almost all weather parameters, but during the incubation period the most important weather parameter is the temperature. Results were compared with similar studies and biological interpretations of the analyses are discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 105-122
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Borecki ◽  
Aleksander Rejman ◽  
Ryszard Nowakowski ◽  
Beata Słowińska

Sixteen apple cultivars and numbered selections resistant to apple scab were investigated in the years 1982-1986. The investigations concerned the following questions: vigour of growth, flowering, season of ripening, evaluation of fruits and their biochemical analysis. Three groups of apple cultivars were distinguished. The first group included 'Freedom', 'Liberty' and 'Novamac' which showed high productivity, satisfactory winterhardiness and best taste of fruits. Four cultivars: 'Primula', 'Prima', 'Priam' and 'Liberty Sister', were recognized as interesting because. of their ripening season and original taste but their winterhardiness was insufficient. Seven cultivars: 'Florina', 'Sir Prize', 'Priscilla', 'Macfree', 'Nova Easygro', 'Gavin' and 'Jonafree', as well as two numbered selections, NY 55-158-2 and NY 61-345-2, were disqualified because of lower productivity, high susceptibility to apple powdery mildew, poor taste, low acidity of fruits and low winterhardiness.


1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Washington ◽  
O. N. Villalta ◽  
J. Ingram ◽  
D. Bardon

Summary. Twenty apple cultivars were assessed over 3 seasons for their susceptibility to natural infection with scab (caused by Venturia inaequalis) and powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera leucotricha). It was evident that a number of important commercial cultivars are highly susceptible to leaf scab (average incidence of leaf scab: Pink Lady, 40.2% of leaves; Lady William, 37.1%; Braeburn, 20.0%; and New Jonagold, 18.7%) and powdery mildew (average incidence of leaf mildew: New Jonagold, 23.0%; Pink Lady, 17.8%). There was a high level of resistance to leaf scab in the cultivars Florina-Quérina, Redfree and Jonafree (all less than 1% incidence on leaves) and to powdery mildew in the cultivar Earlidel (no infection observed). The cultivars Jonathan, Bonza and Red Elstar showed a useful level of resistance to scab (average incidence of leaf scab between 1.6 and 3.2%), while the cultivars Red Fuji, HiEarly and Redfree all showed some resistance to powdery mildew (average incidence of mildew between 2.6 and 5.9%). Observations made on the low and variable numbers of fruit produced by some trees in their third year after planting showed that Pink Lady and Lady William were highly susceptible to fruit scab (67.6 or 57.6% scabbed fruit respectively). Twig infection by scab was also observed on shoots of the current season’s growth of Pink Lady.


Plant Disease ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 2074-2081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Patocchi ◽  
Andreas Wehrli ◽  
Pierre-Henri Dubuis ◽  
Annemarie Auwerkerken ◽  
Carmen Leida ◽  
...  

Apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis, is a major fungal disease worldwide. Cultivation of scab-resistant cultivars would reduce the chemical footprint of apple production. However, new apple cultivars carrying durable resistances should be developed to prevent or at least slow the breakdown of resistance against races of V. inaequalis. One way to achieve durable resistance is to pyramid multiple scab resistance genes in a cultivar. The choice of the resistance genes to be combined in the pyramids should take into account the frequency of resistance breakdown and the geographical distribution of apple scab isolates able to cause such breakdowns. In order to acquire this information and to make it available to apple breeders, the VINQUEST project ( www.vinquest.ch ) was initiated in 2009. Ten years after launching this project, 24 partners from 14 countries regularly contribute data. From 2009 to 2018, nearly 9,000 data points have been collected. This information has been used to identify the most promising apple scab resistance genes for developing cultivars with durable resistance, which to date are: Rvi5, Rvi11, Rvi12, Rvi14, and Rvi15. As expected, Rvi1, together with Rvi3 and Rvi8, were often overcome, and have little value for scab resistance breeding. Rvi10 may also belong to this group. On the other hand, Rvi2, Rvi4, Rvi6, Rvi7, Rvi9, and Rvi13 are still useful for breeding, but their use is recommended only in extended pyramids of ≥3 resistance genes.


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