scholarly journals Farm-scale evaluation of two widely used sanitation practices for reducing primary inoculums of apple scab in organic apple production

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.

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Abonyi ◽  
I. J. Holb

Effects or sanitation practices were evaluated on primary and autumn infection by Venturia inaequalis in an organic apple orchard at Eperjeske on the moderately scab-susceptible apple cultivar Jonathan in 2005 and 2006. Evaluated sanitation practices were: i) collection of fallen leaves in autumn; ii) destroying fallen leaves by disc cultivation in autumn; iii) spraying fallen leaves with 2% lime sulphur in autumn; iv) spraying fallen leaves with 2% lime sulphur in autumn and then collection of fallen leaves in autumn; and v) untreated control. In both years, most sanitation practices reduced significantly (P< 0.05) scab incidence in the primary infection periods compared to untreated control. The highest leaf scab incidence was observed in the untreated plots (26:2 and 24.3% in 2005 and 2006, respectively), while the lowest was in the treatments of spraying fallen leaves with 2% lime sulphur combined with collection of fallen leaves (11.7 and 12.3% in 2005 and 2006, respectively).


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.


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.


Plant Disease ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 611-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Holb

In a 3-year Hungarian study, the effectiveness of apple tree pruning as a management tactic for control of apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) was investigated on two susceptible (cvs. Jonagold and Mutsu), two moderately susceptible (cvs. Elstar and Idared), and two Vf resistant apple cultivars (cvs. Liberty and Prima) in three high-density organic apple orchards treated with copperand sulfur-based fungicide programs. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for leaf and fruit incidences was calculated to evaluate three winter pruning treatments (unpruned, weakly pruned, and strongly pruned). Strong pruning significantly decreased leaf scab on the susceptible and the moderately susceptible cultivars at all sites compared with unpruned ones. Moreover, for the cultivar Jonagold in all years and for the cultivar Mutsu in 2001, AUDPC values of strongly pruned trees were significantly lower at P = 0.05 compared with the weaklypruned trees. The effect of pruning on development of fruit scab was weaker than on leaf scab in all years and at all sites. For fruit scab incidence on susceptible cultivars, only strong pruning treatments decreased AUDPC significantly compared with unpruned treatments. The effects of pruning treatments on moderately susceptible cultivars were significant only in 2001 at all sites. Resistant cultivars showed no significant effect of pruning treatments on development of either fruit or leaf scab except for cultivar Liberty in 2001 at one site. Pruning resulted in no consistent difference in the apple tree canopy microclimate. However, strong pruning resulted in improved spray deposition in the tree canopy when applications were made with an airblast sprayer at midsummer. Results are compared with similar studies, and their biological interpretation is discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Williams ◽  
John G. Strang ◽  
Ricardo T. Bessin ◽  
Derek Law ◽  
Delia Scott ◽  
...  

Although the interest in and production acreage of organic fruit and vegetables has grown in recent years, there are questions about the viability of perennial crops such as apple (Malus ×domestica) in an organic system in Kentucky because of the long, hot, and humid growing season. Thus, the objective of this project was to assess the severity of the challenges to organic apple production in Kentucky. A high-density, organic apple orchard was established in 2007 in the University of Kentucky Horticultural Research Farm in Lexington. The orchard of apple scab (Venturia inaequalis)–resistant ‘Redfree’, ‘Crimson Crisp’, and ‘Enterprise’ trees on ‘Budagovsky 9’ (B.9) rootstock, trained in a vertical axis system, was managed using organically certified techniques and materials for disease and insect control since its inception. Tree growth, tree and fruit injury from insect pests and diseases, and yield over the period 2011–13 were studied. Periodic, shallow cultivation kept the ground beneath the trees free of vegetation once the lower limbs were pulled up and away from the path of the equipment. Vole (Microtus sp.) damage was a continuing problem despite the use of trunk guards and cultivation to remove habitat around the trees. Total fruit yield ranged from 1.2 to 8.1 kg/tree across years and cultivars, with the marketable proportion of the total yield averaging 68% for Redfree and 43% for Crimson Crisp and Enterprise over the 3-year period. The unmarketable fruit exhibited a high incidence of plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) damage, with generally less damage from codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and sooty blotch (Glosodes pomigena)/flyspeck (Schizathyrium pomi). In addition, in two of the three seasons, ‘Crimson Crisp’ and ‘Enterprise’, which were harvested at later calendar dates then ‘Redfree’, had significant levels of powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) injury, ‘Enterprise’ had significantly greater bitter rot (Glomerella cingulata), and ‘Crimson Crisp’ showed fruit and foliar damage from cedar apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae). Because ‘Redfree’ was the only cultivar with an acceptable marketable proportion of the fruit crop, the use of early ripening disease-resistant apple cultivars may have the greatest potential for successful organic apple production in Kentucky and the surrounding region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 527
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Podwyszyńska ◽  
Monika Markiewicz ◽  
Agata Broniarek-Niemiec ◽  
Bożena Matysiak ◽  
Agnieszka Marasek-Ciolakowska

Among the fungal diseases of apple trees, serious yield losses are due to an apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis. Protection against this disease is based mainly on chemical treatments, which are currently very limited. Therefore, it is extremely important to introduce cultivars with reduced susceptibility to this pathogen. One of the important sources of variability for breeding is the process of polyploidization. Newly obtained polyploids may acquire new features, including increased resistance to diseases. In our earlier studies, numerous tetraploids have been obtained for several apple cultivars with ‘Free Redstar’ tetraploids manifesting enhanced resistance to apple scab. In the present study, tetraploids of ‘Free Redstar’ were assessed in terms of phenotype and genotype with particular emphasis on the genetic background of their increased resistance to apple scab. Compared to diploid plants, tetraploids (own-rooted plants) were characterized with poor growth, especially during first growing season. They had considerably shorter shoots, fewer branches, smaller stem diameter, and reshaped leaves. In contrast to own-rooted plants, in M9-grafted three-year old trees, no significant differences between diplo- and tetraploids were observed, either in morphological or physiological parameters, with the exceptions of the increased leaf thickness and chlorophyll content recorded in tetraploids. Significant differences between sibling tetraploid clones were recorded, particularly in leaf shape and some physiological parameters. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis confirmed genetic polymorphism of tetraploid clones. Methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) analysis showed that the level of DNA methylation was twice as high in young tetraploid plants as in a diploid donor tree, which may explain the weaker vigour of neotetraploids in the early period of their growth in the juvenile phase. Molecular analysis showed that ‘Free Redstar’ cultivar and their tetraploids bear six Rvi genes (Rvi5, Rvi6, Rvi8, Rvi11, Rvi14 and Rvi17). Transcriptome analysis confirmed enhanced resistance to apple scab of ‘Free Redstar’ tetraploids since the expression levels of genes related to resistance were strongly enhanced in tetraploids compared to their diploid counterparts.


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.


Plant Disease ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 100 (9) ◽  
pp. 1894-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre J. Holb ◽  
Stefan Kunz

In a 4-year study in a whole-field sanitized organic apple orchard, the effectiveness of nine fungicide treatments, including potassium mono- and bicarbonate and their combinations with wettable sulfur, were evaluated for scab and powdery mildew control on two cultivars with different susceptibility to scab and powdery mildew, under two pruning treatments. The whole-field sanitation practice was performed by removal of infected fallen leaves. Treatment effects on phytotoxicity and yield were also determined. Pruning significantly reduced leaf scab incidence but only on the more scab-susceptible Idared. Pruning significantly reduced mildew incidence in most years and on both cultivars but the more mildew-susceptible Jonathan showed significantly higher mildew incidence than Idared. Among products approved for organic production, the best scab control was achieved with a potassium mono- or bicarbonate treatment combined with wettable sulfur, except for Jonathan in 2011 on leaf and in 2014 on both leaf and fruit, and for Idared in 2013 on fruit. The best mildew control was also achieved with potassium mono- or bicarbonate treatments combined with wettable sulfur, with exceptions on shoots of Idared in 2011 and 2013 and on fruit of Idared in 2012. Leaf phytotoxicity was significantly higher in all potassium carbonate treatments compared with untreated plots, except for Idared in 2012, while fruit russet in these treatments did not differ significantly from the untreated plots. However, phytotoxicity values of all carbonate treatments were significantly lower than the lime sulfur treatment in most years on both cultivars. Yield of the potassium mono- or bicarbonate treatments combined with wettable sulfur was significantly higher than the untreated plots in the pruned treatments for both cultivars in all years. The integrated control approach designed for organic disease management against the two pathogens is discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 165-169
Author(s):  
Lefkothea Karapetsi ◽  
Irini Nianiou-Obeidat ◽  
Antonios Zambounis ◽  
Maslin Osathanunkul ◽  
Panagiotis Madesis

Apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis has the most destructive effects among other phytopathogens in apple crops all over the world. The integration of resistance genes from local and domestic cultivars is a prerequisite for the efficient control of this disease and is a main target in efficient breeding approaches. Across Greece, many domestic apple cultivars are reported without deep knowledge about the presence and diversity of scab resistance genes. In this study, the presence of five resistance genes (Rvi2, Rvi4, Rvi6, Rvi8 and Rvi11) was evaluated across twenty local and domestic apple genotypes, employing twelve molecular markers closely linked to known apple scab resistance loci. Significant differences and polymorphisms among the tested cultivars were detected suggesting that some of them carry a sufficient number of resistance genes. This observed genetic diversity could be exploited in ongoing breeding approaches as a natural source of polygenic resistance against apple scab.


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.


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