ISHS Acta Horticulturae 338: VI International Workshop on Fireblight
INFLUENCE OF NATURAL FLOWER-DROP IN THE EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF BLOSSOM BLIGHT SUSCEPTIBILITY OF APPLE CULTIVARS |
| Authors: | M. Le Lézec, G. Lachaud, J.P. Paulin |
| Abstract:
Some apple cultivars (i.e. Reinette Clochard) were found to be fairly resistant to blossom inoculations by Erwinia amylovora in the field (Le Lézec et al., 1987). To further investigate this apparent resistance, blossoms of 3 apple cultivars (Reinette Clochard, Golden Delicious, Gloster 69) were inoculated in the glasshouse for 2 successive years at different stages of development. Frequency of successful infections and rate of flower-drop were recorded. Results showed that a link exists between the frequency of infection and the rate of dropping of the flowers : the degree of observed "resistance" could in fact reflect the intensity of the dropping of unpollinated flowers. This was constantly the case with 'Reinette Clochard', and occasionally so with Golden Delicious and Gloster 69. We suggest therefore that a correct assessment of blossom susceptibility of a variety should take into account the intensity of the drop of flowers for this variety, in the same conditions. | |
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