ISHS Acta Horticulturae 465: IV International Peach Symposium
HEDGEROWS : A BARRIER AGAINST PSEUDOMONAS SYRINGAE PV. SYRINGAE INFECTIONS IN AN ORGANIC PEACH ORCHARD |
| Authors: | M.R. Tabilio, A. Chiariotti, P. Di Prospero, M. Scortichini |
| Keywords: | hedgerows, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, organic peach orchard |
| Abstract:
A study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of autochthonous hedgerows as a protective barrier against a natural Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (PSS) infection in an organic peach orchard. Three-year old peach trees of cvs Spring Lady and Regina Bianca, grafted on peach seedling, were spaced at 5x4 m. Organic management included organic manure and sprinkler irrigation. A double coeval three-year-old hedgerow of 17 different species completely bordered the orchard. The outside row included mainly trees (e.g. Acer campestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Cornus sanguinea, Crataegus monogyna, Pseudotsuga menziesii); whereas the inside one included mainly shrubs such as Thymus communis and Salvia officinalis. The distance between the rows was 1m and the hedgerow skyline fluctuated from 1,5 to 2,5m. To evaluate the severity of the infection, on both peach trees and hedgerow plants, the percentage of infected leaves at different heights of the plant was recorded. A comparison with a non protected nearby conventional peach orchard was also carried out. The pathogen was identified by means of biochemical and pathogenicity tests as well as by the comparison of whole-cell protein profiles of the isolates with type strains. PSS was also found on some weeds (i.e. Amaranthus retroflexùs, Chenopodium album). The study showed that hedgerow efficacy is related to its height. The non protected peach trees and the hedgerow plants facing the wind, were more severely attacked. The Imore susceptible species in the hedgerow were A. campestris, Rosa canina, S. aucuparia and C. sanguinea.; the least susceptible were T. communis and S. officinalis. These results confirm the importance of a hedgerow in organic farming. | |
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