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Control in organic orchards (Rhynchites weevil)

If effective control measures are not applied, the apple fruit rhynchites weevil can build up to high levels and cause serious damage (> 50% fruits infested). It can be very destructive in organic orchards where the only cultural control  measure is to …

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Rhynchites weevil (Rhynchites aequatus (Linnaeus))

The apple fruit rhynchites is a local but destructive pest of apples which has been increasing in importance in recent years so monitoring is advisable. Hawthorn is the normal host but apple and occasionally pear, plum and cherry can be attacked. Adults …

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Apple replant disease

Apple trees may grow poorly when planted in non-sterilised soil.  This poor growth is most frequent when apple orchards are replanted but may also occur when apple is planted in soils which have not previously grown apple. Affected trees have a reduced …

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Disease status (Fireblight)

Fireblight is often overlooked, particularly on apples, because of its sporadic nature in the UK.  Fireblight is usually associated with pears but it can be equally important on some apple varieties such as Gala and Egremont Russet which are particularly …

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Hosts (Fireblight)

The actual risk of attack on a particular host or variety is dependent on the season’s weather and on the growth stage (e.g. spring blossom, late blossom, soft shoot growth coinciding with damaging storms) as well as inherent susceptibility. Young trees …

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Symptoms and recognition (Fireblight)

First obvious symptoms in the orchard are dead blossoms or dark brown leaves hanging from a truss or branch. These result from spring or summer infection of blossom. The bark of diseased areas or branches (cankers) is dark-green or dark brown, often water …

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Disease cycle and epidemiology (Fireblight)

Bacteria overwinter in orchard trees and in hedgerow hawthorn and susceptible ornamentals in adjacent gardens in bark tissue along the edges of cankers formed from previous year’s infections.  In spring these bacteria multiply and produce ooze. In wet …

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Factors which enhance the risk of fireblight

Untreated inoculum. If fireblight infection is not noticed or is ignored in the orchard or apple or pear nursery or on nearby hawthorn or ornamental hosts especially cotoneaster and pyracantha infection risk is greatly increased. Warm periods during …

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Disease monitoring and forecasting (Fireblight)

There are no chemicals for the control of fireblight registered in the UK. Monitoring and forecasting are therefore a vital part of fireblight prevention and control, which is based on early detection of symptoms and removal of affected tissue to prevent …

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Prevention and control of fireblight

The procedures described are equally applicable to organic production and conventional systems. Fireblight prevention Maintain good disease control in orchard and nursery. Replace nearby hawthorns and susceptible ornamental hosts by non-hosts. Keep …

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