Chemical control of bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae) of apricot and cherry in Victoria

Abstract

Field trials were conducted during 1982-85, to develop a comprehensive spray program for the control of bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae pv, syringae) of apricot and cherry. Five spray schedules were evaluated as measures to reduce disease levels. Copper hydroxide at 2.5 g/L in water was applied to apricot, and bordeaux mixture at 6 g copper sulfate + 8 g hydrated lime/L in water was applied to cherry, during autumn, winter and pre-bloom spring. The effectiveness of copper sprays in reducing epiphytic populations of the pathogen during post-bloom spring was also tested. Copper hydroxide was applied to apricot, and a foliar copper nutrient and copper hydroxide were applied to cherry at low concentrations. Most spray schedules tested significantly (P<0.05) reduced canker incidence relative to controls. Excellent control of epiphytic populations of the pathogen on apricot and cherry was achieved with copper sprays applied at post-bloom in spring. A spray schedule consisting of 2 autumn, 1 winter and 2 pre-bloom spring sprays with copper hydroxide on apricot or bordeaux mixture on cherry was successful in reducing canker (>67% reduction) and is recommended for control of the disease. Two applications of copper hydroxide at 1.0 g/L in water in post-bloom spring considerably reduced (>9 1 %) epiphytic populations (P. syringae pv. syringae) on apricot and cherry leaves. Later sprays are recommended for use in combination with the autumn-winter-spring (pre-bloom) spray schedule, especially under excessively wet and cool weather conditions in spring.