Farmers Club

🍎 Glomerella Leaf Spot (GLS) of Apple

2025-07-06T17:23:00.000+05:30

✅ Causal Organism

Teleomorph: Glomerella cingulata
Anamorph: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

This fungus also causes bitter rot of apple, making it a serious dual threat.

🔍 Diagnostic Symptoms

1. Leaf Symptoms

Small, circular to irregular brown spots with purple to dark borders.
Spots often coalesce, leading to large dead patches.
Often surrounded by a chlorotic (yellow) halo.
Premature defoliation is common, especially in hot and humid weather.

2. Fruit Symptoms (when present)

Small, sunken lesions similar to bitter rot.
Lesions may ooze a pinkish spore mass in humid conditions.

3. Shoot Symptoms

Occasional lesions on young shoots, but less common.

🌱 Overwintering

The pathogen overwinters as:

Dormant mycelium or fruiting bodies (acervuli) in infected leaves, twigs, and mummified fruits.

Can persist in fallen leaves and twig cankers on the orchard floor or tree.
In spring, conidia and ascospores are spread by rain splash and wind to infect new tissues.

🛡️ Disease Management Strategies

🔁 Integrated Management Approach

1. Cultural Practices

Sanitation:

Remove and destroy fallen infected leaves and pruned twigs.
Remove mummified fruits post-harvest.

Pruning:

Open the tree canopy to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Prune out infected shoots.

Orchard Floor Management:

Mow or mulch to speed up leaf litter decomposition.

2. Chemical Control

Fungicides: Apply protective sprays especially during pre- and post-bloom and summer rains:

Captan
Mancozeb
Ziram
Thiophanate-methyl
Strobilurins (like azoxystrobin)

Follow preventive spray programs based on weather forecasts and past disease history.

3. Resistant Varieties

Some cultivars like ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Gala’, and ‘Fuji’ are more susceptible.
Use of less susceptible cultivars where GLS is a major issue may reduce disease pressure.

4. Post-Harvest

Proper handling and storage conditions to avoid fruit rot caused by the same pathogen.

⚠️ Note

GLS is easily confused with other foliar diseases like Alternaria blotch or frog-eye leaf spot, so accurate diagnosis is key—often confirmed via lab identification or microscopic examination.
For detailed explanation about symptomatology please refer to NC State university extension Apple Pathology Fact Sheet

🌿 Silver Leaf Canker in Apples: Symptoms, Causes and Integrated Management

2025-06-08T07:39:00.004+05:30

Apple trees are a symbol of health and abundance—but like all living things, they’re vulnerable to disease. One sneaky and often overlooked culprit in many orchards is Silver Leaf Canker, a fungal disease that may not grab attention right away, but can slowly weaken your trees and reduce their productivity over time.

Silver Leaf Canker Apple Photo by Dimple Panjta

Silver Leaf Canker in Plum Photo by Dimple Panjta

Let’s dig into what it is, how to spot it, and most importantly, how to manage it sustainably.

🍃 What Is Silver Leaf Canker?

Silver Leaf, caused by the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum, is a common wood-invading disease in apples and other fruit trees. It gains entry through fresh pruning wounds or damaged wood, especially during cool, moist conditions. Over time, it can lead to dieback of branches and a characteristic silver sheen on the leaves.

🔍 How to Identify It: Key Symptoms

Silvery discoloration of leaves — the hallmark sign, caused by toxins produced by the fungus.
Progressive branch dieback, especially on older limbs.
Dark brown staining in the wood, visible when you cut into infected branches.
In advanced stages, bracket-like fungal fruiting bodies may appear on dead wood.

If you see these signs, act early—this disease doesn’t go away on its own.

🔄 The Life of the Pathogen

Chondrostereum purpureum survives in old wood as mycelium or fruiting bodies and spreads via airborne spores. These spores land on fresh wounds (like pruning cuts) and start the infection cycle all over again.

🛠️ Integrated Management: A Farmer-Friendly Approach

Silver Leaf can’t be solved with a single spray. But a multi-pronged approach can help keep it under control:

1. ✂️ Smart Pruning Practices

Prune during dry weather, preferably in late summer or early autumn.
Avoid pruning during wet or humid periods.
Remove and burn infected branches—don’t compost them!
Sanitize pruning tools between cuts.

2. 💊 Chemical Protection

Treat fresh pruning wounds with fungicidal pastes containing thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim.
Spray protectants if you're doing extensive pruning.

3. 🌱 Biological Allies

Apply Trichoderma-based biofungicides to pruning wounds. These beneficial fungi compete with the pathogen and block its entry.

4. 🧬 Choose Wisely

While there aren’t truly resistant apple varieties, some cultivars show lower susceptibility. Consider local advice when selecting your planting material.

5. 👁️ Stay Vigilant

Inspect your orchard regularly.
Remove infected limbs early—before the fungus spreads.
Schedule annual sanitation pruning sessions.

📌 Final Thoughts

Silver Leaf Canker may not be the flashiest disease, but its quiet damage can be devastating if ignored. The good news? With careful pruning, smart wound management, and an integrated approach, you can protect your apple trees and keep your orchard healthy and productive.

Remember: a clean cut and a sharp eye go a long way in disease prevention. 🍏✂️

🍎🌿 Managing Marssonina Blotch in June: A Guide for Apple Growers in Himachal Pradesh

2025-06-04T11:20:00.001+05:30

As summer 🌞 ripens across the lush apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh 🍏, farmers are once again faced with a persistent seasonal challenge — Marssonina blotch. This fungal disease caused by Marssonina coronaria thrives in warm, humid June weather 🌧️, quietly threatening your apple crop.

If you're a grower determined to protect your orchard this season, here’s your ready guide to managing Marssonina and Alternaria — with practical tips and updated spray advice 👇

🗓️ Why June Matters for Marssonina Control

By June, apple trees are in full foliage 🌳, creating dense canopies that trap humidity — perfect conditions for fungal growth. Marssonina symptoms start as tiny dark leaf spots ⚫ that spread fast and cause premature defoliation, weakening the trees and reducing yield.

✅ Timely action now will save your crop later.

🧹 Orchard Hygiene Comes First

Before spraying, start with simple, effective orchard practices:

🧺 Remove fallen leaves and pruned twigs
✂️ Prune trees to improve air circulation
🌿 Clear weeds and grass on the orchard floor to reduce humidity

👉 These steps help break the disease cycle and improve spray effectiveness.

🧪 Fungicide Spray Schedule – June 2025

A strategic spray plan can keep Marssonina at bay. Here's what's recommended this June:

📅 Early June (1st Week)

💧 Tebconazole 6.7% + Captan 32% @ 200g/200L or Metiram 55% + Pyraclostrobin 5% WG 200g/ 200L Controls both Alternaria & Marssonina

💦 Ensure full leaf coverage but not drip off situation, especially under leaves

📅 Mid-June (3rd Week)

🌱 Fluxapyroxad 250g/l + Pyraclostrobin 250g/l 500SC @ 50 ml/ 200L or 🌾 Hexaconazole4% + Zineb 68% WP @ 500g/200L

✅Reliable, broad-spectrum protection against premature leaf fall/ Alternaria leaf
💡 Choose based on availability and rotation plans

☔ Post-Rain Spray

🌧️ If it rains heavily, repeat spray within 7–10 days
🕒 Rain accelerates spore spread and washes off fungicide

🔄 Fungicide Resistance Tips

Keep your sprays effective for the long run:

🔁 Rotate between fungicide groups
🧴 Use sticker-spreaders during rainy weather
📆 Stick to the schedule — even one missed spray can cost you

📲 Stay Connected with Advisory Alerts

🗣️ Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Department and local KVKs provide real-time spray and weather alerts 📢.

✅ To Sum It Up…

🎯 June is the month to act decisively against Marssonina blotch.
With a blend of good orchard hygiene 🧹, timely sprays 💧, and regular monitoring 🔍, your apple orchard will stay healthy and productive this season.

Got questions or want a printable version of spray schedule? 📄 Drop a comment below or contact your local horticulture office!

Wishing you a disease-free, bountiful apple season! 🍎🌳

🍎 Apple Trellis Training Systems: A Guide for Modern Growers

2025-05-20T17:24:00.001+05:30

If you're growing apples — whether in a home orchard or a commercial setup — how you train your trees matters. A well-chosen trellis training system not only increases yield and improves fruit quality but also makes pruning, spraying, and harvesting more efficient.

Let’s take a closer look at the most effective training systems for apple trellises, and how to choose the right one for your orchard.

1. Vertical Axis (Slender Spindle)

Overview:
This is one of the most common training systems for modern apple orchards. It’s based on a single central leader (trunk) with short side branches.

Key Features:

Tree height: 8–10 ft
Uses a single-wire trellis or stake
Best with dwarf rootstocks (like M.9)

Benefits:
✅ Early fruit production
✅ Simple structure
✅ Easy for pruning and harvesting

Ideal for: Medium-density orchards and beginner growers.

2. Tall Spindle

Overview:
A high-density, high-efficiency system for professional orchards. It uses very tight spacing and a strong support system.

Key Features:

Tree height: Up to 12 ft
Requires multi-wire trellis
Spacing: 2–3 ft between trees

Benefits:
✅ Very early yields
✅ High productivity per acre
✅ Great light penetration

Keep in Mind: This system needs regular pruning and precise training to maintain structure.

Ideal for: Commercial apple farms aiming for maximum efficiency.

3. Vertical Trellis (Espalier Style)

Overview:
A flat training system where branches are tied along horizontal wires. Great for maximizing space and sunlight.

Key Features:

Requires multi-wire trellis (4–6 wires)
Used with dwarf rootstocks
Often grown on walls or fences in smaller orchards

Benefits:
✅ Perfect for narrow spaces
✅ Easy to manage and pick
✅ Visually appealing

Ideal for: Home gardens or farms with limited space.

4. V-Trellis (Y-Trellis)

Overview:
Branches are trained to grow outward in a “V” shape, improving sunlight access and airflow.

Key Features:

Needs angled trellis posts or arms
Common in orchards focused on fruit color development

Benefits:
✅ Excellent fruit color and size
✅ Reduces disease risk due to better airflow
✅ Makes canopy more accessible

Ideal for: Growers focused on premium fruit quality and color.

5. Bi-Axis (Twin Leader)

Overview:
Instead of one main trunk, this system trains two leaders per tree. Think of it as growing two trees in one space.

Key Features:

Supports balanced fruiting on both sides
Needs a strong trellis with multiple wires

Benefits:
✅ More even growth
✅ Redundancy — if one leader fails, the other can take over
✅ Suitable for mechanical pruning

Ideal for: Advanced growers looking for long-term canopy balance.

🧰 Choosing the Right System: What to Consider

Before you choose a training system, ask yourself:

✅ What rootstock are you using? (Dwarf rootstocks prefer supported systems)
✅ How much space do you have?
✅ What are your labor resources?
✅ Are you aiming for early returns or long-term structure?

📌 Final Tip

No matter which system you choose, the first 2–3 years are critical. Invest time in proper pruning, branch positioning, and trellis setup early on — your future harvest depends on it.

Have questions or want a step-by-step guide with photos? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll be happy to help!

Natural Disease Control: Using Trichoderma atroviride and Biofungicides in Apple Orchards

2025-05-10T15:25:00.000+05:30

Managing diseases in apple orchards doesn't have to mean heavy chemical use. With increasing pressure for sustainable and organic practices, Trichoderma atroviride is gaining popularity as a natural fungicide for apple trees. Alongside other biofungicides for apple trees, it offers an effective and eco-friendly solution to protect your orchard.

In this guide, learn how to apply Trichoderma atroviride, when to use it, and how it fits into a biological control strategy for apple orchard disease management.

🍏 Why Use Trichoderma atroviride in Apple Orchards?

Trichoderma atroviride is a beneficial soil fungus used for apple tree root rot treatment, collar rot control, and overall disease suppression. Here's why it's powerful:

Mycoparasitism: It attacks and kills harmful pathogens like Phytophthora and Botrytis.
Nutrient competition: It outcompetes pathogens in the root zone.
Boosts immunity: Triggers the apple tree’s natural defenses.
Improves soil health: Supports a healthy, balanced microbiome.

By applying Trichoderma atroviride in apple orchards, growers can reduce synthetic fungicide use and promote healthier trees naturally.

🛠️ How to Apply Trichoderma atroviride in Apple Orchards

✅ When to Apply Trichoderma

To maximize effectiveness, apply during key orchard stages:

Pre-planting – Condition the soil for planting
At planting – Coat roots for early colonization
Spring – Use a Trichoderma foliar spray on apple trees to prevent fungal outbreaks
Post-pruning – Treat wounds to prevent cankers
Autumn – Suppress pathogens before winter

📍 Where and How to Use Trichoderma

Soil Drench or Root Dip – Apply to the root zone to prevent apple tree root diseases
Trunk Application – Use as a wound dressing post-pruning
Foliar Spray – Some formulations allow Trichoderma spray on apple leaves for leaf disease suppression

💡 Use non-chlorinated water, avoid mixing with incompatible chemicals, and reapply every 4–6 weeks during high-risk periods.

🚫 Compatibility Tips and Cautions

To ensure the beneficial fungi thrive:

Compatible with:

Organic fertilizers
Compost teas
Microbial inoculants like Bacillus subtilis

Avoid mixing with:

Copper-based fungicides
Chlorinated or high-pH water
Broad-spectrum disinfectants

🔁 After using chemical fungicides, wait 5–7 days before applying T. atroviride.

🌿 Best Biofungicides for Apple Orchard Disease Control

Rotating or combining biologicals can enhance performance and reduce resistance risks. Here are leading options:

Biofungicide	Target Disease	Application
Trichoderma atroviride	Root rot, collar rot, cankers	Soil, wounds, foliar (if labeled)
Bacillus subtilis	Botrytis, Alternaria	Foliar spray
Pseudomonas fluorescens	Soilborne pathogens	Root zone drench
Ampelomyces quisqualis	Powdery mildew	Preventative foliar spray

Use these biofungicides for a sustainable apple orchard management strategy.

🌾 Integrating Biofungicides with Orchard IPM

Here’s how to combine biological control in apple farming with integrated practices:

Scout regularly for disease pressure
Combine Trichoderma with pruning, sanitation, and tree spacing
Rotate different modes of action to avoid resistance
Document outcomes to refine future strategies

✅ Storage, Certification & Organic Use

Ensure biofungicides are registered for use on apple trees in your region
Store in cool, dry conditions—heat can destroy fungal spores
Choose OMRI-listed or organic-certified Trichoderma products for organic systems

📌 Final Thoughts

The use of Trichoderma atroviride and other biofungicides in apple orchards is not just a trend—it’s a smart, sustainable step toward healthier trees and better yields. Whether you’re managing root rot, cankers, or foliar diseases, these natural tools offer strong protection without harming the environment.

By shifting to biological fungicides, apple growers can reduce chemical inputs, improve soil health, and position their orchards for long-term success.

How to Care for Apple Trees During the Walnut Stage: A Simple Orchard Guide

2025-04-29T20:04:00.000+05:30

This blog post is in continuation to previous blog where we have discussed about important tasks at pea stage in apple orchards. In this post we will be talking about caring apple trees during walnut stage of fruit development

The walnut stage of apple development—when apples are about 2–3 cm wide—is a critical time for apple growers. The steps you take now affect the size, quality, and health of your apples at harvest.

Whether you're a new orchardist or a seasoned farmer, this guide walks you through all the essential tasks: pest control, fruit thinning, fertilization, irrigation, and more.

🥜 What Is the Walnut Stage in Apple Growth?

The walnut stage is when your apples reach about 2–3 cm in diameter—similar to the size of a walnut. The fruit is growing rapidly, and your trees are channeling energy into both leaf and fruit development.

Proper care at this stage directly influences your harvest yield, fruit quality, and tree health.

🧜‍♂️ 1. Pest and Disease Control for Apple Trees

Apple trees are especially vulnerable to pests and diseases at this time. Acting early can prevent serious problems.

🐛 Common Pests:

Fruit moths (especially above 8000 ft amsl under Himachal Pradesh conditions)
Aphids
Spider mites

Use pheromone traps to monitor pest activity. Apply insecticides if populations are high and rotate products to avoid resistance.

🦠 Common Apple Diseases:

Powdery mildew
Apple scab
Alternaria leaf spots/blight
Marssonina blotch (causes premature leaf fall)

Apply fungicides based on weather conditions and disease risk. Walk through your orchard regularly and inspect trees closely.

🍎 2. Apple Fruit Thinning: Why and How

Thinning ensures that remaining apples grow larger and healthier, and prevents biennial bearing (a heavy crop one year, followed by a poor one).

🚗 Two Ways to Thin:

Chemical thinning: Use sprays to encourage fruit drop naturally.
Hand thinning: Remove apples manually, aiming for 1 fruit every 6–8 inches along a branch.

Start early in the walnut stage for best results.

💪 3. Fertilization and Irrigation Tips

🌿 Fertilizing Apple Trees:

Apply fertilizers only if needed. A leaf nutrient test can guide your decisions. Overfeeding can cause soft, disease-prone growth.

🚰 Watering Apple Trees:

Use soil moisture sensors or check manually.
Keep the soil evenly moist.
Avoid overwatering, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Consistent irrigation helps ensure even fruit sizing and healthy tree growth.

🌳 4. Summer Pruning and Tree Training

Light summer pruning improves airflow and light penetration, helping to control diseases and improve fruit color.

🍃 Tips:

Remove dense, leafy branches that block light.
Tie or guide young branches to improve tree shape.
Avoid heavy cuts that can stress the tree in hot weather.

⛅️ 5. Other Important Orchard Tasks in Late Spring

Monitor the weather: Watch for hail or storms. Use anti-hail nets or wind machines if needed.
Keep good records: Track all orchard activities including sprays, fertilizer use, irrigation, pest observations, and weather conditions.

Accurate records improve future decision-making and support better yields.

📆 Final Thoughts: Why Walnut Stage Orchard Care Matters

Caring for your apple orchard during the walnut stage sets the foundation for a successful harvest. Focus on pest control, fruit thinning, irrigation, pruning, and disease prevention.

Stay observant, stay consistent, and adjust your practices based on what your orchard needs.

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Integrated Disease Management & Soil Health Tips for White Root Rot in Apple Orchards

2025-04-22T16:43:00.005+05:30

In my previous post we have talked about role of resistant rootstocks in the management of white root rot. While resistant rootstocks provide a vital first line of defense, white root rot (Dematophora necatrix) is notoriously persistent. That’s why a broader Integrated Disease Management (IDM) approach, combined with healthy soil practices, is essential for long-term orchard success.

Here’s how to level up your white root rot management strategy:

🔄 1. Use an Integrated Disease Management (IDM) Approach

IDM combines cultural, biological, and mechanical methods to minimize disease spread and protect tree health. Focus on the following:

🧹 Sanitation: Remove and destroy infected roots and plant debris during replanting or pruning.
🧼 Disinfection: Clean tools, boots, and machinery to avoid spreading fungal spores between orchards.
🌱 Rootstock Selection: Choose resistant varieties like G.935 or CG.6210 when replanting or grafting.
📍 Site Selection: Avoid planting in previously infected soils or low-lying areas with poor drainage.
🔍 Regular Monitoring: Scout trees for symptoms such as leaf bronzing, shoot dieback, and root decay early.

🌱 2. Boost Soil Health to Suppress White Root Rot

A biologically active, well-structured soil environment can naturally suppress fungal pathogens. Here’s how to enhance soil health:

🌊 Improve Drainage: Use raised beds or install subsurface drainage to reduce excess moisture where the fungus thrives.
🍂 Add Organic Matter: Apply compost, vermicompost, or well-rotted manure to support beneficial soil microbes.
☀️ Soil Solarization: During summer, cover moist soil with clear plastic for 4–6 weeks to kill pathogens using solar heat.
🌾 Biofumigation: Grow cover crops like mustard or radish, then till them under to release natural antifungal compounds.
🦠 Introduce Beneficial Microbes: Use Trichoderma spp. or mycorrhizal fungi as soil amendments to improve microbial competition and root protection.

🚜 3. Smart Replanting Strategies in Infected Sites

If you're replanting in an orchard affected by white root rot, here are some essential precautions:

⏳ Rest Period: Leave the land fallow or plant non-host crops for 1–2 years to reduce inoculum load.
🌳 Resistant Rootstocks: Use only rootstocks with proven tolerance or resistance.
🔄 Graft on Wild Types: Consider grafting scion varieties onto wild-type or hybrid rootstocks that show field-level resistance.

✅ Bonus Tip: Keep a Field Log

Document which rootstocks are planted where, record disease symptoms and management steps, and track the performance of soil health practices. This information is invaluable for future planning and adapting strategies as needed.

Coming Soon:

🧪 A guide to using Trichoderma atroviride and other biofungicides in apple orchards — stay tuned!

Fighting White Root Rot in Apple Trees: The Power of Resistant Rootstocks

2025-04-20T13:17:00.003+05:30

In my previous post I discussed about Geneva Series Rootstocks. Here we are continuing the importance of rootstocks in the management and production of the apples.

Apple trees are iconic — not just for their fruit, but for their role in orchards around the world. But behind the scenes, many growers face a stubborn enemy lurking underground: white root rot, caused by the soilborne fungus Dematophora necatrix.

This disease is no joke. It thrives in acidic, poorly drained soils and attacks the roots of apple trees, cutting off their lifeline — water and nutrients. Left unchecked, it can wipe out trees and devastate entire orchards.

So what’s the solution? One of the most promising long-term strategies is using resistant rootstocks. Let’s dig into why that matters.

What Makes White Root Rot So Dangerous?

The fungus behind white root rot is a survivor. It can live in the soil for years — even if no apple trees are around. In fact, it’s been known to infect over 170 plant species, including other fruit trees and woody plants.

Once it gets into an orchard, it infects the roots and slowly takes over. You'll see signs like:

Leaves turning bronze
Shoots dying back
Smaller fruits
Entire trees collapsing

And here's the worst part: traditional control methods like chemical treatments or rotating crops don’t work well because the fungus is so persistent and adaptable.

Why Resistant Rootstocks Are a Game-Changer

Rootstocks are basically the foundation of the apple tree — the part that grows underground and supports the rest of the plant. By choosing the right rootstock, growers can improve everything from tree size to disease resistance.

Here’s why white root rot-resistant rootstocks are such a big deal:

🌳 They help trees survive and stay productive, even in infected soils.
🐞 They reduce the need for chemical treatments, making farming more eco-friendly.
🔄 They offer broader disease protection, especially when bred alongside other resistant traits.

Promising Rootstocks to Watch

Researchers and breeders have been hard at work developing and testing rootstocks that can handle white root rot. Here are a few that are showing promise:

M.9 and M.26: Popular for creating smaller, high-yielding trees — but unfortunately, they’re susceptible to white root rot.
G.935: Part of the Geneva series. Offers moderate resistance, plus it’s hardy and resistant to fire blight.
CG.6210: A strong contender with broad soilborne disease tolerance and great compatibility with many apple varieties.
Seedling rootstocks: Wild apple species and hybrids are being explored, and some show natural resistance — a promising direction for future breeding.

Looking Ahead

White root rot isn’t going away anytime soon, but we’re not powerless. By investing in and planting resistant rootstocks, apple growers can protect their orchards, reduce chemical use, and grow healthier trees for the long haul.

Breeding efforts are still ongoing, and with continued research, the future of apple farming looks a lot more resilient.

Got white root rot problems in your orchard? Stay tuned for our upcoming post on integrated disease management strategies and soil health tips.

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The Geneva Series: Revolutionizing Apple Production with Disease-Resistant Rootstocks

2025-04-15T12:20:00.001+05:30

Quite a long time ago I have posted on why clonal rootstocks, this is a continuation towards that only. This post is about disease resistant apple rootstocks and yields etc.

If you're an apple grower—or just an apple enthusiast—you've probably heard the buzz around the Geneva series of rootstocks. Developed in Geneva, New York, these innovative rootstocks are changing the game in orchards around the world. Why? Because they offer high yields, exceptional fruit quality, and built-in disease resistance—all critical for modern, sustainable apple production.

Let’s dive into what makes the Geneva series a true orchard revolution.

🌱 The Roots of Innovation: How the Geneva Series Began

Back in the 1960s and ’70s, a team of researchers led by Dr. Robert Lamb at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) set out with a bold mission: to breed apple rootstocks resistant to fire blight, a devastating bacterial disease that can wipe out entire orchards.

Using a mix of traditional breeding and genetic testing, they began creating rootstocks that not only resisted diseases but also improved productivity and fruit quality. That work gave rise to what we now know as the Geneva series.

🌟 Why Growers Love Geneva Rootstocks

So what makes these rootstocks such a standout choice? Here are some key traits that make Geneva rootstocks a top pick:

🛡️ Disease Resistance: Built-in resistance to fire blight, apple scab, and powdery mildew means healthier trees with fewer sprays.
📈 Better Yields: These rootstocks are designed to support vigorous but balanced growth, which means more apples per tree.
🍏 Superior Fruit Quality: Expect apples with more sugar, better texture, and richer flavor—great news for both fresh markets and cider makers.
❄️ Cold Hardiness: Many Geneva rootstocks thrive in cooler climates, making them ideal for northern growers or high-elevation orchards.
🔗 Scion Compatibility: They play well with a wide variety of apple varieties—making it easy to graft your favourite cultivars.

🔍 Spotlight on Popular Geneva Rootstocks

There are several Geneva rootstocks out there, but here are a few grower favourites:

G.11 – A semi-dwarf with great disease resistance and reliable yields.
G.16 – A dwarf variety known for excellent fruit quality and compact size.
G.41 – Combines strong disease resistance with high productivity.
G.935 – Offers excellent fruit quality on a dwarfing root system.

Each one offers a slightly different balance of size, productivity, and resistance—giving growers flexibility depending on their orchard goals.

🌿 The Grower's Edge: Why Geneva Matters

If you're managing an orchard (or thinking about planting one), Geneva rootstocks offer some serious advantages:

Fewer Chemicals, Fewer Headaches: Disease resistance means you can reduce pesticide use, saving time and money.
Bigger, Better Harvests: With healthier trees and more consistent growth, you’ll see improved yields year after year.
Long-Term Sustainability: Less chemical input + longer-living trees = a more sustainable and eco-friendly orchard.

✅ The Bottom Line

The Geneva series has reshaped apple production, giving growers a powerful set of tools to tackle disease, boost yield, and grow better apples—all while supporting sustainable practices. Whether you’re running a large commercial orchard or a small family farm, Geneva rootstocks are worth a serious look.

As adoption continues to grow, there’s no doubt: the future of apple farming is rooted in Geneva.

📬 Want to Learn More?

Are you a grower considering Geneva rootstocks for your orchard? Or just curious about the future of apple production? Drop your questions or thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

Apple Tree: Important Tasks at Pea Stage

2025-04-08T13:01:00.003+05:30

In my previous post I have discussed about Apple tree: Important Tasks at Petal Fall Stage. Now the time is approaching for Pea Stage of fruit development in apple.

During the pea stage of fruit development in apples, the fruitlets are about the size of a pea (typically 6–10 mm in diameter). This is a critical period for several orchard management practices that impact fruit size, quality, and overall tree health as this is the period when cell multiplication takes place. Here are the important tasks to be carried out at this stage:

🌱 1. Thinning

Why? Reduces fruit load to improve fruit size, colour (Exposure to light), and return bloom for the next year.
How it is to be done?

Chemical thinning is common at this stage (e.g., using NAA, NAD, or carbaryl).
Follow with manual thinning later if needed.
The pea stage is ideal because the tree hasn't committed all resources yet.

🛡️ 2. Pest Management

Key pests to monitor and control:

Fruit Borer (Helicoverpa) (1st generation egg hatch begins around this time)
Aphids, leafrollers, and mites

Use IPM practices, pheromone traps, and targeted insecticides based on monitoring.

🍄 3. Disease Management

Critical for controlling:

Apple scab
Powdery mildew

Maintain a protective fungicide program and remove infected shoots.

💧 4. Irrigation Management

Young fruitlets need adequate water to develop properly.
Begin regular irrigation scheduling based on soil moisture and weather.

🧪 5. Nutrient Management

Foliar feeding (e.g., calcium sprays) may begin to improve fruit quality and prevent disorders like bitter pit.
Continue soil or fertigation-based nutrient supply as per leaf or soil analysis.

✂️ 6. Training & Pruning Touch-Ups

Light summer pruning may begin:

Remove competitive and vigorous upright water shoots (suckers)
Improve light penetration (better spur development for next year) and air circulation (Better disease control)

📋 7. Monitoring & Record-Keeping

Record fruit set, thinning effectiveness, pest/disease pressure, and phenological stages for future reference and management decisions.

Apple Tree: Important Tasks at Petal Fall Stage

2025-04-02T19:54:00.002+05:30

In my previous post we have been talking about Role of Pollinators in Pollination. Similarly petal fall stage is very important as this will make a base for quality fruit production

At the petal fall stage in apples, several important tasks need to be carried out to support fruit development, protect against pests and diseases, and promote overall tree health. Here’s a breakdown:

🌸 1. Nutrient Management

Apply Nitrogen (N): Moderate amounts for healthy growth, avoid excess Nitrogen application to prevent poor fruit set.
Calcium Sprays: Start foliar sprays of calcium nitrate or calcium chloride to improve fruit firmness and prevent disorders like bitter pit.
Micronutrients: Apply boron, zinc, and other essential micronutrients as needed, especially if deficiencies are noted.

🦟 2. Pest and Disease Control

Insecticides: Apply sprays to manage pests like archips, fruit borers, aphids, and mites.
Fungicides: Control diseases such as apple scab, powdery mildew, Core rot. Use appropriate fungicides based on regional guidelines.

✂️ 3. Thinning

Start chemical thinning if required to reduce fruit load and improve fruit size and quality. This is often done shortly after petal fall.

💧 4. Irrigation Management

Ensure and maintain adequate soil moisture through proper irrigation, especially if rainfall is insufficient.

📅 5. Weed Control

Apply herbicides or mechanically remove weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

In our next post we must be discussing about important tasks in focus at pea stage of fruit development.

Apple Tree: Role of Pollinators in Apple Pollination

2025-03-31T08:55:00.001+05:30

My previous post was on Important Operations at Pink Bud Stage, at flowering stage Bee Management or Managed pollination is very important. In today's post we will be discussing the role of pollinators in in Apple Fruit Set.

🍎🌸🐝 Apple pollination is a critical process that directly affects fruit set, quality, and yield. Pollinators, particularly honeybees, play a crucial role in this process. Understanding their role and promoting healthy pollinator populations can significantly enhance apple production. 🍎🌸🐝

🌸 Importance of Pollinators in Apple Pollination 🌸🐝🍏

Apple trees are predominantly self-incompatible, meaning they cannot pollinate themselves or require pollen from a different variety for successful fertilization. Pollinators transfer pollen from the flowers of one tree to another, enabling the fruit to develop. 🌸🐝🍏

Why Pollinators are Essential: 🌼🌿🐝

Cross-Pollination: Most apple varieties require cross-pollination between compatible cultivars.
Improved Fruit Quality: Better pollination leads to well-shaped, larger, and higher-quality fruits.
Increased Yield: More flowers successfully fertilized means a greater number of fruits produced. 🌼🌿🐝

🐝 Primary Pollinators of Apple Trees 🐝🍏🌼

Honeybees (Apis mellifera, Apis cerana): 🐝🌸🍯

The most important and widely used pollinator for apple orchards.
Managed hives are often placed in orchards during bloom.
Effective at foraging in large numbers, ensuring good coverage.

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.): 🐝🌸🍏

Active in cooler temperatures and low light conditions, making them effective in early spring.
Strong fliers capable of pollinating flowers that honeybees might overlook.

Solitary Bees (e.g., Mason bees): 🐝🏡🌸

Highly efficient pollinators due to their direct contact with flower anthers.
Effective at transferring pollen even in challenging weather conditions.

Other Insects: 🦋🐞🐝

Flies, beetles, and butterflies contribute to pollination but are less efficient than bees.

🌼 Factors Affecting Pollinator Efficiency 🌿🐝🍎

Weather Conditions: 🌧️💨🌡️

Cold, wet, or windy weather can reduce bee activity and effectiveness.

Pesticide Use: 🧴🚫🐝

Spraying harmful chemicals during bloom can severely affect pollinator health and activity.

Orchard Management Practices: 🌾🏡🍏

Providing diverse flowering plants, avoiding pesticide sprays during bloom, and ensuring hive placement can improve pollination efficiency.

Pollinator Health: 🦠🐝💔

Diseases, pests, and habitat loss can negatively impact bee populations.

🌳 Enhancing Pollination in Apple Orchards 🌸🍎🐝

Providing Managed Hives: 🐝🏡🌼

Introduce honeybee hives at the beginning of bloom for maximum effectiveness.
Recommended density: 1-2 hives per acre for optimal pollination.

Encouraging Wild Pollinators: 🌼🌻🐝

Planting wildflowers, hedgerows, and cover crops to provide food and habitat.
Reducing pesticide use or switching to bee-safe alternatives.

Optimizing Orchard Design: 🌳🍏🌿

Plant compatible apple varieties within reasonable distances for better cross-pollination.

Timing of Sprays: ⏰🧴🐝

Avoid applying insecticides during bloom to protect pollinators.

🍎 Conclusion 🌸🐝🍏

Pollinators are essential for successful apple pollination and ensuring high-quality fruit production. Honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees play vital roles in transferring pollen between flowers. By adopting pollinator-friendly practices and maintaining healthy bee populations, growers can significantly boost apple yields and improve fruit quality. 🌸🐝🍏

In coming post I shall be talking about Petal Fall Stage: Tasks in Focus

Apple Tree: Important Operations at Pink Bud Stage

2025-03-30T15:08:00.003+05:30

Critical Stages for Apple Spray Schedule

The Pink Bud Stage in apple trees is a growth stage that occurs just before the flowers fully open. At this stage, the flower buds are swollen, and you can clearly see the pink or red petals through the tips of the buds, but the flowers haven't opened yet.

Why Pink Bud Stage is Important?

Pest and Disease Control:

Many pests and diseases are active around this stage (e.g., aphids, scab, Marssonina, Powdery Mildew).
It's a critical time for applying fungicides and insecticides to protect the developing flowers.

Nutrient Management:

Applying foliar nutrients like calcium, boron, or zinc can improve fruit set and quality.

Frost Sensitivity:

Buds at this stage are sensitive to frost damage, so frost protection may be needed.

The pink bud stage is crucial for ensuring healthy blossoms and good fruit set, so proper management at this time can make a big difference in your apple harvest.

At this stage focus on these tasks:

🌸 Care and Maintenance

Watering: Make sure the soil has enough moisture but avoid overwatering.
Frost Protection: Use sprinklers, smoke at night, or wind machines if frost is expected.

🌿 Pest and Disease Control

Fungicides: Spray to prevent diseases like apple scab, powdery mildew.
Insecticides: Use if pests like aphids, mites, or leafrollers are present. Avoid harming bees.
Monitoring: Check for pests like thrips, archips (caterpillars) and aphids to plan future sprays.
For detailed Integrated Spray Schedule you may check e-udyan portal of Department of Horticulture, Govt of Himachal Pradesh.

🌱 Nutrition

Foliar Feeding: Spray nutrients like calcium, boron, or zinc, if needed i.e. if soil test reports indicate deficiency of these nutrients.
Fertilizing: Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers—these can cause too much leafy growth and invite foliar diseases

In next Post we will be talking about Role of Pollinators in Apple Pollination.

Fruit Tree Problems: Multiple Choice Questions on Cocoa Diseases

2021-05-02T16:59:00.001+05:30

Previous post during last year was on Fruit Tree Problems: MCQs on Arecanut Diseases. This year I am continuing with other set of questions. You may answer these in comment section

Q 1 Phytophthora palmivora causes _____________________ disease of cocoa

a. Seedling die back	c. Black pod disease
b. Stem canker	d. All the above

Q 2 White thread blight is caused by

a. Marasmius scandens	c. Botryodiplodia theobromae
b. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides	d. Oncobasidium theobromae

Q 3 White thread blight spread through

a. Contact of branches	c. Contact of plant to plant
b. Contact of mycelium	d. Dead leaves carried by wind

Q 4 Characteristic symptom(s) of Black pod diseases of cocoa

a. Appearance of brown spots on pods	c. Both a and b
b. Discoloration of brown spots & infected beans	d. None of these

Q 5 Favourable conditions for black pod

a. High density plants accompanied with shady location with cool temp.	c. HDP with RH upto 90% and Temp 30-35^oC
b. High density plants in rainy weather with high temperature	d. HDP with RH >95% and Temp 30-35^oC

Q 6 Charcoal pod rot of cocoa is caused by

a. Marasmius scandens	c. Botryodiplodia theobromae
b. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides	d. Oncobasidium theobromae

Q 7 Asexual fruiting body produced by Botryidiplodia theobromae

a. Acervulus	c. Pseudothecium
b. Pycnidia	d. Apothecium

Q 8 Causal organism of cocoa swollen shoot is

a. Phytoplasma	c. Bacteria
b. Virus	d. Fungus

Q 9 Characteristic symptom of cherelle rot is

a. Shrunken infected stalk with mummified fruit	c. Both a. and b.
b. Brown discolored beans under high humid conditions	d. None of these

Q 10 Vascular streak dieback of cocoa has been reported only from

a. Tamil Nadu	c. Karnataka
b. Kerala	d. Telangana

Fruit Tree Problems: Multiple Choice Questions on Arecanut Diseases

2020-04-27T08:37:00.005+05:30

In my previous post I posted MCQs on Fruit tree Problem: pomegranate diseases. Today I am going to post MCQs on areacanut diseases. You can answer in the comment section.

Q 1 Mahali/Koleroga disease of arecanut was first reported by

a. Butler in 1904 from Mysore	c. Coleman in 1905 from Mysore
b. Butler in 1906 from Mysore	d. Coleman in 1910from Mysore

Q 2 Mahali disease is caused by

a. Phytophthora meadii	c. both of these
b. Phytophthora arecae	d. None of these

Q 3 Following factor play an important role in spread of mahali disease of arecanut

a. Low temperature & high humidity	c. both of these
b. Close plantation	d. None of these

Q 4 Mahali/koleroga disease of arecanut can be successfully managed by prophylactic sprays of

a. Bordeaux mixture(1%) and Metalaxyl MZ(0.2%)	c. Bordeaux mixture(1%) and Hexaconazole(0.2%)
b. Bordeaux mixture(1%) and Carbendazim (0.1%)	d. All of these

Q 5 Bacterial leaf stripe of arecanut is caused by

a. Xanthomonas campestris pv. arecae	c. Pseudomonas campestris pv. campestris
b. Pseudomonas campestris pv. arecae	d. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris

Q 6 Favourable temperature for bacterial leaf stripe development in arecanut is

a. 26-30^oC	c. 26-28^oC
b. 25-28^oC	d. 25-30^oC

Q 7 Bacterial leaf stripe of arecanut can develop faster under

a. 85-90% RH	c. 80-85% RH
b. 60-75% RH	d. 70-85% RH

Q 8 Anabe roga of arecanut is caused by

a. Ganoderma lucidum	c. Ganoderma applanatum
b. Ganoderma australe	d. Ganoderma lingzhi

Q 9 Bud rot of arecanut is caused by

a. Phytophthora palmivora	c. Phytophthora cactorum
b. Phytophthora parasitica	d. Phytophthora nicotianae

Q 10 Yellow leaf spot disease of arecanut is caused by

a. Curvularia sp.	c. Colletotrichum sp.
b. Phyllosticta sp.	d. all of these.

Fruit Tree Problems: Multiple choice questions on Pomegranate Diseases

2020-04-12T19:49:00.005+05:30

Last week I posted questions on Pineapple diseases. Today I am posting questions on pomegranate diseases. These will help you to understand the crop better. You may answer these questions in comment box.

Q 1 Bacterial blight of pomegranate is caused by

a. Xanthomonas campestris pv punicae	c. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv punicae
b. Pseudomonas axonopodis pv punicae	d. Pseudomonas campestris pv punicae

Q 2 Light brown zonated spots appear on leaves and fruits of pomegranate are caused by

a. Cercospora punicae	c. Coelophoma empetri
b. Alternaria altarnata	d. Phytophthora nicotianae

Q 3 Primary source of inoculum for Cercospora leaf spot are

a. conidia in acervulus	c. dormant mycelia in infected plant part
b. dormant mycelia in plant debris	d. None of these

Q 4 Wilt of pomegranate is caused by

a. Fusarium oxysporum	c. Fusarium fusariodes
b. Verticilium albo-atrum	d. All of these

Q 5 Flower and fruit spot of pomegranate is caused by

a. Phytophthora palmivora	c. Phytophthora parasitica
b. Phytophthora nicotianae	d. Phytophthora cactorum

Q 6 Favourable temperature for bacterial blight development in pomegranate is

a. 30-34^oC	c. 25-30^oC
b. 20-30^oC	d. 30-40^oC

Q 7 Bacterial blight of pomegranate can develop faster under

a. 85-90% RH	c. 80-85% RH
b. 60-75% RH	d. 70-85% RH

Q 8 Most critical period in pomegranate disease development is

a. July-August	c. July-September
b. August-October	d. August-November

Q 9 Characteristic symptoms for bacterial blight of pomegranate includes

a. water soaked lesion with necrotic center	c. Oily brown to black spots on fruits
b. brown to black spots around the nodes	d. All of these

Q 10 Dark brown depressed symptoms on fruits are characteristic of

a. Cercospora leaf spot	c. Leaf spot
b. Fusarium wilt	d. Leaf and fruit spots

Fruit Tree Problems: Multiple Choice Questions on Pineapple diseases

2020-04-06T19:56:00.003+05:30

Yesterday I posted questions on Jack Fruit diseases. Today I am posting questions on pineapple diseases. These will help you to understand the crop better. You may answer these questions in comment box.

Q 1 Heart rot of pineapple caused by

a. Phytophthora cinnamomi	c. Phytopthora palmivora
b. Phytophthora cactorum	d. Phytophthora nicotianae

Q 2 Epidemiological conditions that favours heart rot diseases development are

a. Poor drainage	c. Alkaline soils
b. Cool and wet soils	d. All of these

Q 3 Heart rot of pineapple overwinters in the form of

a. Oospores	c. Sporangia
b. Zoospores	d. None of these

Q 4 Heart rot of pineapple can be managed by

a. Avoiding deep planting	c. Removal and destruction of diseased plant
b. Application of Bordeaux mixture	d. All of these

Q 5 Base rot is caused by

a. Ceratocystis fibriata	c. Cyratocystis platani
b. Cyratocystis paradoxa	d. Cyratocystis piceae

Q 6 Pineapple wilt virus is transmitted by

a. Aphids (Aphis gossypii)	c. Mealy bug (Dysmicocus brevipes)
b. Mite (Eriophyes inaequalis)	d. Seed corn maggot (Hylemyia cilicrura)

Q 7 Select the true statement with relation to pineapple wilt virus

a. High soil N reduces disease incidence	c. Hot water treatment can be done at 52^oC
b. Hot water treatment can be done at 45^oC	d. Low soil N reduces the disease incidence

Q 8 Pink disease of pineapple is caused by

a. Pantoea citrea	c. Botryobasidium salmonicolaor
b. Corticium salmonicolor	d. None of these

Q 9 Pineapple fruitlet core rot disease is caused by

a. Penicillium spp	c. Aspergillus spp.
b. Rhyzopus spp.	d. All of these

Q 10 Pantoea citrea is a

a. Gram-negative	c. facultative anaerobic
b. non-spore forming	d. All of these

Tomorrow I shall be posting the answers in comment box

Fruit Tree Problems: Multiple Choice Questions on Jackfruit Diseases

2020-04-05T11:41:00.002+05:30

In my previous post I have posted MCQs on plum diseases. Hope you might have enjoyed solving it. Today I am going to post MCQs on Jackfruit diseases. I have included two disease management questions. These will help you in understanding the choice of fungicides in the management of diseases

Q 1 Die back of jackfruit is caused by

a. Rhizopus artocarpus	c. Phytopthora palmivora
b. Stigminia carpophila	d. Botryodiplodia theobromae

Q 2 On dying back twigs following vegetative fruiting structure can be seen

a. Pycnidia	c. acervuli
b. apothecia	d. perithecia

Q 3 Primary source of inoculum of jackfruit die back is

a. dormant mycelia	c. soil borne conidia
b. conidia developed in pycnidia	d. air borne conidia

Q 4 Following conditions are favourable for die back development in jackfruit

a. Temp 15-20^oC and RH 80-85%	c. Temp 25-30^oC and RH 80-85%
b. Temp 25-30^oC and RH 85-90%	d. Temp 15-20^oC and RH 85-90%

Q 5 Fruit rot of jackfruit is caused by

a. Rhizopus artocarpus	c. both of these
b. Phytopthora palmivora	d. none of these

Q 6 Leaf spot of jackfruit is caused by

a. Alternaria alternate	c. Pestalotiopsis clastica
b. Pseudomonas syringae pv.syringae	d. Phytophthora palmivora

Q 7 Characteristic symptom of jackfruit leaf spot disease is

a. dark brick red spots on upper leaf surface	c. dark brick red spots on both leaf surfaces
b. dark brick red spots on lower leaf surface	d. white spots with grey center

Q 8 Pink disease of jackfruit is caused by

a. Botryobasidium salmonicolaor	c. a & b
b. Corticium salmonicolor	d. None of these

Q 9 Jackfruit leaf spot can be managed by

a. Carbendazim @0.1%	c. Thiophanate methyl @0.2%
b. Difolatan @0.2%	d. All of these

Q 10 Phytophthora rot of jackfruit is managed by

a. Bordeaux mixture @1%	c. Carbendazim @0.1%
b. Thiophanate methyl @0.2%	d. Difolatan @0.2%

You can check the answers in comment box now.

Plum Tree Diseases: MCQ on Diseases of Plum

2020-04-02T18:15:00.003+05:30

Yesterday I posted MCQs on Diseases of Peach. Today I am posting MCQs on diseases of plum, which may help you in your revision of the crop

MCQ

Q 1 Plum pocket is caused by

a. Taphrina deformans	c. Taphrina maculans
b. Stigminia carpophila	d. Phyllosticta persicae

Q 2 Characteristic symptom includes

a. Hypertrophy	c. Hollow fruit
b. both a and c	d. none

Q 3 Characteristic/prominent symptoms of plum pocket can be seen on

a. Leaves	c. Fruits
b. Twigs	d. Trunk

Q 4 Wilt of plum is caused by

a. Fusarium oxysporum	c. Verticillium albo-atrum
b. Ralstonia solanacearum	d. None of these

Q 5 Wilt of plum is more severe in

a. Alkaline pH	c. Acidic pH
b. Neutral soil	d. none of these

Q 6 Bacterial canker of plum is caused by

a. Xanthomonas syringae	c. California peach blight
b. Pseudomonas syringae pv.syringae	d. Target leaf spot

Q 7 Primary source of inoculum for bacterial canker of plum is

a. infected plant	c. soil borne bacterial cells
b. endospores	d. all of these

Q 8 Predisposing factors for the wilt of plum are

a. Balck clay soil	c. Nematode infestation
b. 28-29^oC temperature	d. All of these

Q 9 Black knot of plum is caused by

a. Xanthomonas campestris	c. Apdiosporina morbosum
b. Pseudomonas syringae pv.syringae	d. Xanthomonas syringae

Q 10 Line pattern of plum is caused by

a. Virus	c. Bacteria
b. Fungus	d. Algae

Peach Tree Diseases: MCQ Diseases of Peach

2020-04-01T22:35:00.003+05:30

Yesterday I posted MCQs on Pear diseases. Today I am posting MCQs on Peach disesases.

Q 1 Peach leaf curl is caused by.

a. Taphrina deformans	c. Taphrina maculans
b. Stigminia carpophila	d. Phyllosticta persicae

Q 2 Peach scab is caused by

a. Venturia inaequalis	c. Venturia pirina
b. Venturia carpophila	d. Spilocaea pomi

Q 3 Vector for peach X disease is

a. Psylla	c. Leaf hopper
b. Green peach aphid	d. Peach leaf curl aphid

Q 4 Vector for peach mosaic virus is

a. Green peach aphid	c. Eriophyid mite
b. Peach leaf curl aphid	d. Psylla

Q 5 Primary source of inoculum for peach scab is

a. ascospores produced in cleistothecium	c. dormant mycelia in fallen leaves
b. Spilocea type of air borne conidia	d. Rain water splash and air borne conidia

Q 6 Stigminia blight is also known as

a. Peach blight	c. California peach blight
b. New castle peach blight	d. Target leaf spot

Q 7 Primary source of inoculum for peach rust is

a. Teliospore	c. Urediospores
b. Basidiospores	d. Aceiospores

Q 8 Biological control agent for powdery mildew of peach

a. Erwinia herbicola	c. Ampelomyces quisqualis
b. Pseudomonas fluorescens	d. All of these

Q 9 Fruiting body produced by Ampelomyces quisqualis is known as

a. Pycnidium	c. Cleistothecium
b. Apothecium	d. Pseudotheium

Q 10 Chemicals for control of powdery mildew

a. Elemental sulfur	c. Wettable Sulfur
b. Hexaconazole	d. all of these

You may answer these questions in comment section. I shall be posting answers for these questions tomorrow in comment section.

Multiple choice questions on pear diseases

2020-03-31T17:35:00.003+05:30

Yesterday I finished objective questions on apple. Today I am posting MCQs on pear diseases. I hope this will help you in preparing for your examination

Q 1 Pear scab is caused by.

a. Podospharea leucotricha	c. Gymnosporangium libocedri
b. Fabraea maculata	d. Venturia pirina

Q 2 Sexual spores of Pear scab develop in

a. Pseudothecia on infected fallen leaves	c. Perithecia on infected fallen leaves
b. Cleistothecia on infected fallen leaves	d. Apothecia on infected fallen leaves

Q 3 Vector for pear decline disease is

a. Pear psylla	c. Pear aphid
b. Green peach aphid	d. Woolly Apple Aphid

Q 4 Sexual fruiting body of powdery mildew causing fungi is

a. Peritheicium	c. Cleistothecium
b. Apothecium	d. Pseudotheium

Q 5 Primary source of inoculum for powdery mildew of pear is

a. ascospores borne in cleistothecium	c. dormant mycelia in infected buds
b. barrel shaped conidia	d. superficial mycelia on infected buds

Q 6 Erwinia amylovora overwinters in

a. natural openings or woulds	c. Nectrathodes
b. bark tissues along edges of cankers	d. Venturia pirina

Q 7 Primary source of inoculum for pacific coast pear rust is

a. Telial galls on cedar plants	c. Uredia on flowering pear (Pyrus calleryana)
b. Urediospores	d. Aceiospores

Q 8 Biological control agent for powdery mildew of pear is

a. Erwinia herbicola	c. Ampelomyces quisqualis
b. Pseudomonas fluorescens	d. All of these

Q 9 Fruiting body produced by Ampelomyces quisqualis is

a. Pycnidium	c. Cleistothecium
b. Apothecium	d. Pseudotheium

Q 10 Fire blight can be managed by

a. pruning diseases parts	c. Using COC or Streptocycline
b. controlling insect vectors	d. all of these

Answer these questions in comment section. I shall be posting the answers tomorrow in the comment section.

Apple Tree Diseases: Objective questions on apple

2020-03-30T18:17:00.003+05:30

Yesterday I posted some objective questions on apple in the form of fill in the blanks. Today again I am going to post some more fill in the blanks with reasoning questions. This will complete important questions from apple fruit crop.

Fill in the blanks:

Unlike apple scab fungus, the spores of powdery mildew do not require _____________ for germination.
Black rot disease of apple is caused by and is also known as .
Phytophthora cactorum survives in the soil as that are resistant to drought and relatively resistant to chemical treatment.
Characteristic feature of white root rot is that can be seen on roots during monsoon months and can be seen on soil level.
Young trees if infested with may die quickly with necrotic leaves still on the dead plant is a characteristic symptom.
Soil pH , soil moisture and Temperature play an important role in incidence and survival of Dematophora necatrix.
Crown gall of apple is caused by and hairy root is caused by can be managed by bio-control agent strain

Descriptive questions

How excess nitrogen makes the plants more susceptible? What is the role of balanced nutrition in disease management?
Why overhead irrigation be avoided during fire blight outbreak?
Why control of insects with sucking type of mouth parts is important in management of fire blight of pome fruits?

You may answer the fill in the blanks in comment section. I shall be posting the answers in comment section tomorrow.

Apple Tree Diseases: Objective questions on apple diseases.

2020-03-29T17:10:00.002+05:30

Yesterday I started working on objective type questions for the diseases of apple crops. In this series I am going to post fill in the blanks. Here are few fill in the blanks for apple diseases.

Fill in the blanks

Apple scab is caused by _______________ is telomorph, whereas, anamorph of the fungus is ______________.
Apple scab disease perinnates in ____________and primary infection is caused by ______________.
Leaf __________period and _____________plays important role in primary infection of apple scab.
Secondary source of inoculum for scab development is __________.
Application of _________to leaf litter during fall (when more than 80% leaves have fallen) hasten decomposition of leaves due to microbial action and reduces primary inoculum.
In case of fire blight of apple, tips of young infected shoots wilt, forming a very typical ________________symptom.
The fire blight bacteria ____________in bark tissues along the edges of cankers caused by infections during previous years.
The Erwinina amylovora penetrate the tree through __________or ______________.
Secondary infection of Erwinina amylovora arises from _______of fresh infections.
Podosphaera leucotricha overwinters in the ____________that had been infected in the preceding growing season.

You may answer these questions in comment section. I shall be answering these in comment section tomorrow.

Apple Tree Diseases: Question Bank for Apple Diseases

2020-03-28T17:46:00.003+05:30

During the period of lockdown, I thought to help my students in preparation for their exams. Today I am starting with few questions on apple diseases, which may come handy for your exams in near future. Tomorrow I shall be posting some more questions.

MCQ.

Q 1 The disease which had endangered the very existence of delicious apples.

a. Powdery mildew	c. Fruit spots
b. Apple scab	d. Root rot

Q 2 The breeding of scab resistant varieties of apple was undertaken.

a. IARI	c. RFRS – Mashobra
b. ICAR	d. RFRS – Bikaner

Q 3 The root rot of apple is caused by.

a. Phytophthora cactorum	c. Corticium salmonicolor
b. Podospharea leucotricha	d. Botryosphaeria obtusa

Q 4 Silvering of foliage appears soon after petal fall is the typical symptoms of

a. Nail head canker	c. Pink disease
b. Leaf canker	d. Fruit spots

Q 5 Hairy root is due to.

a. Agrobacterium tumefaciens	c. Podospharea leucotricha
b. Dematophora necatrix	d. Corticium salmonicolor

State True /False

Q 6 The Primary Source of Inoculum for apple scab is zoospores of pseudothecium.

Q 7 The apple rust is a heterocious & also monocyclic disease.

Q 8 Apple crown rot. Root rot, Collar rot are the complete loss disease caused by a single organism Dematophora necatrix.

Q 9 Apple Dapple /Apple scar skin is a viroid disease.

Q 10 The two crab apples Malus floribunda & Malus toringoides are have resistance against the root rot.

Q 11 Bitter rot, Sour rot, Brown rot are not post harvest diseases.

You may answer these questions in comment box. I shall be posting the answers soon in comment section

Clonal Rootstocks: High Density Plantation

2018-01-20T04:59:00.001+05:30

In my previous post on Apple Rootstocks I discussed about advantage of clonal rootstocks. These stocks though have genetic similarity is bound to react similarly to the scion wood. Thus we can visualize the final product and can make a blue print of our production unit. Most of us call horticulture an industry, but how many of us understand that in any of the industry we first calculate the production and then inputs and then we decide about whether to produce or not. Whereas in horticulture as an industry how many of us calculate our production, or visualize the quality or critically decide about critical inputs? Even then this industry is giving us lot of remuneration this means even we are doing horticulture without planning it is giving us the upward growth, what it can do if we plan it properly.

There are number of clonal rootstocks around the world. There are some popular rootstocks like M9, MM106, MM 111, 793, M7, M26, Bud -9, and so on.

World over this rootstock having dwarfing effect is appropriate for dense planting methods. Its use is recommended with the varieties of vigorous development, Fuji, Gala etc. Around the world it has been proven to be the most stable in preciosity, performance and production rootstock with very satisfying tolerance to Phytophthora disease. This rootstock requires support for the development of plantation and it is the most widespread and popular rootstock worldwide. Its combination with the varieties of the Red Delicious is not advised.

M26

A very popular rootstock in Greece. It produces trees 65% more vigorous compared to seedling apple tree. It forms the perfect combination with the Red Delicious varieties in every type of orchard planting. It requires careful actions as to accomplish a successful production every year. The quality of the produced product is regarded very nice. Avoid combining it with varieties like Fuji, Gala, Johnagold etc. Along with the variety Granny Smith a good combination is achieved.

MM106

This rootstock is particularly sensitive towards the Phytophthora fungus. It should be avoided in intensive planting . Its use in moist soil, watered with inclination and in soil which had been previously replanted with apple trees would not be wise. Its products are relatively small so the careful thinning down is demanded. It has a fairly developed rooting system, hence its trees do not require any support.

MM111

This rootstock coordinates very well with the Red Delicious varieties. Its basic characteristic and its advantage over the MM106, is the tolerance towards the soil borne fungus Phytophthora sp. This is the apparent reason why, the use of this rootstock, and not of the MM106, is recommended.

In coming posts I shall be discussing about Planting systems in apple.