Biological control of Eutypa armeniacae 5. Guidelines for establishing routine wound protection in commercial apricot orchards

Abstract

A pilot system is described for production and storage of macroconidia of Fusarium lateritium in quantities sufficient for use in wound protection against Eutypa dieback disease in commercial orchards. Data from field and laboratory experiments confirm the efficacy of F. lateritium at 106 spores/ml and benomyl at 200 ¦g/ml as wound protectants and reveal the importance of delivering the biocide(s) in sufficient volume of carrier liquid to ensure penetration to the full depth of the infection courts in the host sapwood. It is concluded that protection of commercial apricot orchards from Eutypa dieback by benomyl in water suspension, delivered via pneumatic applicators, is feasible provided that manufacturers of equipment intended for this are willing to observe design criteria which ensure an adequate output of spray fluid. While the population of the pathogen remains sensitive to benzimidazoles, there appears to be no immediate need to develop commercial production of F. lateritium for this purpose.