ISHS Acta Horticulturae 338: VI International Workshop on Fireblight
SHOOT AND BLOSSOM SUSCEPTIBILITY TO FIRE BLIGHT (ERWINIA AMYLOVORA) OF ASIAN PEAR CULTIVARS |
| Author: | P. LECOMTE |
| Abstract:
The introduction in Europe of Asian pear as alternative crop is recent. Very few experimental or field information is available on fire blight susceptibility of these pears, which are originally grown in areas where the disease is not present. In order to test their fire blight susceptibility, a collection of 24 cultivars of Asian pear selected for their agronomic interest, was planted in 1986 at the experimental field of DAX within the framework of an EEC programme on fire blight control. The shoots were tip-inoculated during the growth period in May (89, 90 and 91) and the flowers were inoculated in March or April (90, 91 and 92). Several assessment methods were compared. Results showed that, with the exception of the cultivar Shinko, most of the Nashi cultivars introduced in Europe, were susceptible to fire blight on shoots. In contrast, the Li cultivars seemed to be less susceptible, but their number was low in our experiment. The frequencies of infection on blossoms, particularly those recorded in 1991, indicated that most of the 17 cultivars tested, either of Nashi or of Li, may, at least occasionally, develop severe blight symptoms. These results should be confirmed under natural conditions. | |
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