Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab?
Apple scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, is one of the most damaging diseases of cultivated apples (Malus x domestica) worldwide. It results in huge losses as it diminishes fruit quality and impacts tree growth. Current management revolves around the application of fungicides, however t...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Maximum Academic Press
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Fruit Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/FruRes-2023-0028 |
| _version_ | 1827339886466695168 |
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| author | Katherine Stewart Thomas Passey Carol Verheecke-Vaessen Zoltan Kevei Xiangming Xu |
| author_facet | Katherine Stewart Thomas Passey Carol Verheecke-Vaessen Zoltan Kevei Xiangming Xu |
| author_sort | Katherine Stewart |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Apple scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, is one of the most damaging diseases of cultivated apples (Malus x domestica) worldwide. It results in huge losses as it diminishes fruit quality and impacts tree growth. Current management revolves around the application of fungicides, however the number of sprays required per season is unsustainable and expensive. Further to this, populations of V. inaequalis have developed fungicide resistance. Breeding new cultivars with higher levels of resistance to scab is a priority, however, this process is long, so introducing mixed cultivar orchards may be a faster solution. We reviewed the general principles of using mixtures to manage plant diseases, and then considered specifically using mixed cultivars to manage apple scab in commercial production. Limited field studies have demonstrated the potential of using mixture to suppress apple scab development; but scab super-races that could emerge from mixture can pose a significant risk in commercial production. However, recent research on population genetics of apple scab in monoculture and mixed orchards suggests that the risk of super-race emergence is probably over-stated, because assortative mating among lesions on the same leaves is likely to occur, rather than commonly assumed random mating. Thus, we conclude that cultivar mixtures can contribute towards sustainable scab management, particularly in commercial cider apple production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T20:09:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8f467842bb9b47aebbd4189f4d887c78 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2769-4615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T20:09:03Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Maximum Academic Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fruit Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-8f467842bb9b47aebbd4189f4d887c782024-02-28T03:19:43ZengMaximum Academic PressFruit Research2769-46152023-01-01311910.48130/FruRes-2023-0028FruRes-2023-0028Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab?Katherine Stewart0Thomas Passey1Carol Verheecke-Vaessen2Zoltan Kevei3Xiangming Xu4Pest and Pathogen Ecology, NIAB at East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UKPest and Pathogen Ecology, NIAB at East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UKApplied Mycology Group, Environment and AgriFood Theme, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UKCranfield Soil and AgriFood Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UKPest and Pathogen Ecology, NIAB at East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UKApple scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, is one of the most damaging diseases of cultivated apples (Malus x domestica) worldwide. It results in huge losses as it diminishes fruit quality and impacts tree growth. Current management revolves around the application of fungicides, however the number of sprays required per season is unsustainable and expensive. Further to this, populations of V. inaequalis have developed fungicide resistance. Breeding new cultivars with higher levels of resistance to scab is a priority, however, this process is long, so introducing mixed cultivar orchards may be a faster solution. We reviewed the general principles of using mixtures to manage plant diseases, and then considered specifically using mixed cultivars to manage apple scab in commercial production. Limited field studies have demonstrated the potential of using mixture to suppress apple scab development; but scab super-races that could emerge from mixture can pose a significant risk in commercial production. However, recent research on population genetics of apple scab in monoculture and mixed orchards suggests that the risk of super-race emergence is probably over-stated, because assortative mating among lesions on the same leaves is likely to occur, rather than commonly assumed random mating. Thus, we conclude that cultivar mixtures can contribute towards sustainable scab management, particularly in commercial cider apple production.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/FruRes-2023-0028apple scabventuria inaequalismixed cultivar culturedisease management |
| spellingShingle | Katherine Stewart Thomas Passey Carol Verheecke-Vaessen Zoltan Kevei Xiangming Xu Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab? Fruit Research apple scab venturia inaequalis mixed cultivar culture disease management |
| title | Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab? |
| title_full | Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab? |
| title_fullStr | Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab? |
| title_short | Is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab? |
| title_sort | is it feasible to use mixed orchards to manage apple scab |
| topic | apple scab venturia inaequalis mixed cultivar culture disease management |
| url | https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/FruRes-2023-0028 |
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