EVALUATION OF NEW METHODS IN INTEGRATED CONTROL OF BROWN SPOT OF PEAR (STEMPHYLIUM VESICARIUM, TELEOMORPH PLEOSPORA ALLII)

I. Llorente, A. Vilardell, P. Vilardell, E. Montesinos
Brown spot of pear is caused by the fungus Stemphylium vesicarium and is a disease producing high economical losses in several pear-growing areas in Europe. New strategies have been tested in order to increase the efficacy of disease control. S. vesicarium overwinters in fallen infected pear leaves or fruits as pseudothecia of its teleomorph Pleospora allii. Different studies were performed to increase the knowledge of the role of P. allii in the brown spot disease cycle with the objective of providing valuable information to improve control measures. The pathogenicity of ascospores of P. allii in pear leaves was demonstrated and the minimum infective dose was determined as one ascospore. The patterns of airborne ascospores were studied and showed that most parts of ascospores are released during March and April. To decrease the overwintering inoculum and limit ascospore discharge different biological and mechanical methods were evaluated in experimental orchards in Spain. Mechanical methods consisting of leaf shredding or removal were the most effective. Biological control methods based on the application of Thichoderma sp. formulates were partially effective. Chemical methods based on copper and urea treatments were ineffective. Combination of mechanical and biological methods may decrease the progress of pear brown spot.
Llorente, I., Vilardell, A., Vilardell, P. and Montesinos, E. (2008). EVALUATION OF NEW METHODS IN INTEGRATED CONTROL OF BROWN SPOT OF PEAR (STEMPHYLIUM VESICARIUM, TELEOMORPH PLEOSPORA ALLII) . Acta Hortic. 800, 825-832
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.800.112
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.800.112
overwintering inoculum, biological control, integrated management
English

Acta Horticulturae