Scab on apple - Venturia inaequalis

Scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis, is one of the major fungal diseases in Belgian fruit production. A good control of the primary infection moments based on an accurate warning system in the spring is, therefore, an ideal strategy. However, current scab warning systems do not take the initial inoculum pressure into account. In this project, the current warning system of pcfruit will be improved by additional information of the: initial inoculum pressure, presence of fungicide resistant species and actual scab spore count of specific orchards. This will lead to a more rational and site specific warning reducing the use of fungicides and a better control of scab infections.

Contact: Wendy Van Hemelrijck, Jelle Van Campenhout and An Ceustermans

Timing: 1/10/2014 - 29/09/2018

Partnership: KULeuven (Prof. Wannes Keulemans) and ILVO (Dr. Kurt Heungens)

Financing: IWT 135078