Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum Management

Apple scab, caused by <i>Venturia inaequalis</i>, is one of the most important diseases in apples in all production regions and its sustainable control is still a challenge. The aim of this work was to optimize the control of apple scab through different environmentally friendly inoculum...

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Main Authors: Noure Jihan Boualleg, Maria Victoria Salomon, Pere Vilardell, Borja Aramburu, Jordi Cabrefiga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2125
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author Noure Jihan Boualleg
Maria Victoria Salomon
Pere Vilardell
Borja Aramburu
Jordi Cabrefiga
author_facet Noure Jihan Boualleg
Maria Victoria Salomon
Pere Vilardell
Borja Aramburu
Jordi Cabrefiga
author_sort Noure Jihan Boualleg
collection DOAJ
description Apple scab, caused by <i>Venturia inaequalis</i>, is one of the most important diseases in apples in all production regions and its sustainable control is still a challenge. The aim of this work was to optimize the control of apple scab through different environmentally friendly inoculum management strategies, specifically the removal of fallen leaves in winter and the treatment of ground leaves with the biological agent <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> (T34 BIOCONTROL<sup>®</sup>) to inhibit or prevent inoculum development in commercial orchards. The results obtained from 4 years of trials in commercial orchards demonstrated that the combination of fungicide treatments and leaf litter management, particularly through aspiration, significantly reduced the development of apple scab in comparison with strategies commonly used by growers that are based solely on fungicide application. Both the incidence and severity of the disease in leaves and fruit decreased by over 90% when inoculum management and fungicide treatments were combined. These results highlight that reducing the source of inoculum by removing fallen leaves is an effective strategy that complements fungicide or biological control agent applications. In conclusion, combining eco-friendly strategies with standard fungicides and monitoring environmental conditions can help to reduce the frequency of phytosanitary applications, ultimately contributing to the goal of minimizing their use in the control of apple scab.
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spelling doaj-art-4c4772eab2f44c12b687eba809fe84532025-08-20T02:50:56ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722024-11-011412212510.3390/agriculture14122125Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum ManagementNoure Jihan Boualleg0Maria Victoria Salomon1Pere Vilardell2Borja Aramburu3Jordi Cabrefiga4IRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection, Mas Badia, 17134 La Tallada d’Empordà, Catalonia, SpainIRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection, Mas Badia, 17134 La Tallada d’Empordà, Catalonia, SpainIRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection, Mas Badia, 17134 La Tallada d’Empordà, Catalonia, SpainIRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection, Mas Badia, 17134 La Tallada d’Empordà, Catalonia, SpainIRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection, Mas Badia, 17134 La Tallada d’Empordà, Catalonia, SpainApple scab, caused by <i>Venturia inaequalis</i>, is one of the most important diseases in apples in all production regions and its sustainable control is still a challenge. The aim of this work was to optimize the control of apple scab through different environmentally friendly inoculum management strategies, specifically the removal of fallen leaves in winter and the treatment of ground leaves with the biological agent <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> (T34 BIOCONTROL<sup>®</sup>) to inhibit or prevent inoculum development in commercial orchards. The results obtained from 4 years of trials in commercial orchards demonstrated that the combination of fungicide treatments and leaf litter management, particularly through aspiration, significantly reduced the development of apple scab in comparison with strategies commonly used by growers that are based solely on fungicide application. Both the incidence and severity of the disease in leaves and fruit decreased by over 90% when inoculum management and fungicide treatments were combined. These results highlight that reducing the source of inoculum by removing fallen leaves is an effective strategy that complements fungicide or biological control agent applications. In conclusion, combining eco-friendly strategies with standard fungicides and monitoring environmental conditions can help to reduce the frequency of phytosanitary applications, ultimately contributing to the goal of minimizing their use in the control of apple scab.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2125<i>Venturia inaequalis</i><i>Trichoderma</i>sustainable controlleaf litter managementintegrated control tools
spellingShingle Noure Jihan Boualleg
Maria Victoria Salomon
Pere Vilardell
Borja Aramburu
Jordi Cabrefiga
Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum Management
Agriculture
<i>Venturia inaequalis</i>
<i>Trichoderma</i>
sustainable control
leaf litter management
integrated control tools
title Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum Management
title_full Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum Management
title_fullStr Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum Management
title_full_unstemmed Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum Management
title_short Control of Apple Scab in Commercial Orchards Through Primary Inoculum Management
title_sort control of apple scab in commercial orchards through primary inoculum management
topic <i>Venturia inaequalis</i>
<i>Trichoderma</i>
sustainable control
leaf litter management
integrated control tools
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2125
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AT borjaaramburu controlofapplescabincommercialorchardsthroughprimaryinoculummanagement
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