ISHS Acta Horticulturae 489: VIII International Workshop on Fire Blight
A SEVERE UNFORESEEN OUTBREAK OF FIRE BLIGHT IN THE EMILIA-ROMAGNA REGION |
| Authors: | A. Calzolari, F. Finelli, G.L. Mazzoli |
| Keywords: | Italy, pear, fire blight |
| Abstract:
The Emilia-Romagna region is a fruit-growing area that traditionally produces pears which are highly appreciated throughout Europe. Fire blight was first reported in this region in 1994 with 5 cases, followed by 6 in 1995 and 30 in 1996. In 1997 there was a severe epidemic with 721 official cases of the disease, more than 90% occurred on pear. The epidemic in 1997 occurred after several meteorological events such as late frosts, hail, tornadoes and violent thunderstorms and was mainly associated with abundant and repeated secondary bloom during almost the entire vegetative season. There are various hypotheses on the origin of the epidemic: 1) the pathogen had been spread throughout the area starting from the few cases identified between 1994 and 1996; 2) despite the numerous inspections in the previous years, the disease passed unobserved; 3) Erwinia amylovora has been present for some time on latently infected plants and/or as an epiphyte; when the level of inoculum reached over time was sufficient the disease exploded as a result of favourable weather conditions and possibly cultivation techniques. Pear-growing is in the Emilia-Romagna region a heritage with a great historical, social and professional value; to protect this heritage, fireblight will be controlled with constant monitoring of the territory and the application of suitable cultivation techniques, supported by the experiments currently underway. | |
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