Culture system for Malus domestica for controlled inoculation with Venturia inaequalis pathogen and testing of safety under laboratory conditions
Abstract
Apple scab is the most widespread and economically most serious apple disease worldwide, which depreciates the fruits of the apple tree and causes significant financial losses. It is caused by the fungal pathogen Venturia inaequalis.
The main method of protecting against scab is to use fungicides to stop the disease. However, as resistance to active fungicide substances is created in V. inaequalis, it is necessary to look for new ones.
Another problem of classical fungicides is their toxicity. Therefore natural and non-toxic substances with fungicidal activity are currently being tested intensively.
Another method of defence against scab is breeding programs aimed at crossing sensitive and resistant varieties. Again, however, resistance genes are overcome by some strains of V. inaequalis and it is necessary to come up with new varieties.
Testing the effectiveness of new preservatives and the resistance of new varieties is very time-consuming due to the seasonal growth of apple trees and the incidence of V. inaequalis infection. The aim of the methodology is to enable the cultivation of apple trees, their reliable infection by conidia of the pathogen and the testing of preventive and curative sprays, regardless of the season and climatic conditions.