Apple scab (V. inaequalis) is the main fungal disease in organic pome production. It affects apple quality and leads to significant yield losses.
Solution
There are effective preventive measures to reduce the risk of apple scab infection, including promoting leaf decomposition, pruning, site and variety selection, and balanced fertilization.
Description
Applying a combination of preventive, protective and curative measures during the ascospores phase in spring efficiently decreases the risk of infection.
Practical recommendations
Preventive measures to avoid risk of infection:
• Varieties: Use scab-resistant/tolerant apple varieties, such as e.g. Story/Inored, Topaz, Opal, Ladina, or Santana
• Good plant aeration/site selection: Apple scab depends on leaf moisture for successful infection. There-fore, it is important to allow quick drying of the plants with well-lit and air-permeable canopies and planting systems. To do so:
• Align rows towards the main wind direction;
• Space plants widely;
• Prune trees and roots to achieve steady growth and a loose canopy.
Preventive measures to reduce inoculum and reduce the risk of infection:
Promotion of foliage decomposition in autumn/spring reduces the ascospores potential for the upcoming season. You can promote this via:
• Mechanical shredding of infected plant parts (fallen leaves) by tillage;
• Use of Vinasse in autumn at leaf fall (single application);
• Use a leaf vacuum cleaner to actively remove infested leaves from the tree strips within the orchards
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