APRICOT DECLINE AND INTEGRATED PLANT PROTECTION

Strategies adopted in the integrated control management are reported in detail for each disease. Natural, cultural, biological, genetic and biotechnological methods available for protecting apricot trees against decline are discussed. Eutypa dieback can be controlled with sanitation and preventive measures, like burning of affected wood and making pruning early in winter when spore production is lowest. Fungicide coverage of fresh wounds is recommendable. The problem of Verticillium wilt remains unsolved. Beside the classical control practices aiming at diminishing the incidence and severity of the disease, it seems that soil solarization is quite promising. For phytophthora crown and root rot and root rot disease (Armillaria mellea) only preventive measures can be applied, like proper water management and the use of rootstocks exhibiting some resistance.