Scab on apple and pear trees: damage and control

Apple and pear trees are often affected by a fungal disease known as scab. This disease can significantly reduce fruit quality and tree health. Let's explore the causes, symptoms, and effective control measures for apple and pear scab.

Understanding Apple and Pear Scab

Scab is caused by microscopic fungi belonging to the Venturia genus. Venturia inaequalis primarily affects apple trees, while Venturia pirina targets pear trees. These fungi thrive in cool, wet conditions, attacking leaves, twigs, and fruits.

Factors Favoring Scab Development

• Climate: Cool, wet weather, especially during the growing season, provides ideal conditions for scab development.

• Infected Plant Material: Fallen leaves and infected fruit can serve as a source of spores for the following season.

• Cultural Practices: Overcrowded trees and poor air circulation can create a humid environment that promotes disease spread.

Symptoms of Scab

• Leaves: Small, olive-green spots appear on leaves, eventually turning brown and corky. Premature leaf fall can occur.

• Twigs: Dark, sunken lesions may form on twigs, weakening the branch.

• Fruit: Young fruits may become misshapen or develop dark, cracked spots. Mature fruit may have a scabby or sooty appearance.

Controlling Apple and Pear Scab

• Resistant Varieties: Planting apple and pear varieties with resistance to scab can significantly reduce disease pressure.

• Cultural Practices:

  • Proper pruning to improve air circulation.

  • Timely removal and destruction of infected plant material.

  • Avoiding overhead watering.

• Chemical Control: Fungicides can be effective in controlling scab, but it's important to follow label instructions carefully.

• Biological Control: Certain beneficial microorganisms can help suppress scab.

When the disease is already present, biological treatments can strengthen the natural resistance of the trees and slow down the progression of the infection.

Roots and Soils provides natural and organic solutions for controlling scab

For soil improvement (allows to aerate the soil, avoids stagnation of soil moisture)

GaiaOxy, FulfTask,

as well as

Biostimulants to strengthen your fruit trees:

GaiaBoost , and GaiaVirox

Treatment:

our colleection of inorganic clays and biopolymers

GaiaGuard and GaiaClay