Use of fungicides against powdery mildew during an artificial scab inoculation test in an apple breeding programme focused on partial resistance
Lefrancq, B.; Lateur, M.
Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences 70(3): 209-213
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1379-1176 PMID: 16637179 Document Number: 587083
Our project aimed to develop an effective selection methodology for partial disease resistance. One of its objectives was to define the optimal selection threshold for discarding individual seedlings after artificial scab inoculation tests. Working with large populations of seedlings, it was necessary to conduct the scab tests at intervals throughout the season, with the risk of powdery mildew infection of the young plantlets during the summer. Because Podosphaera leucotricha symptoms prevent breeders from properly evaluating scab symptoms, a trial was conducted to assess the effect of specific anti-mildew fungicides on the results of the scab inoculation test. The results allowed the active ingredient and the optimum time for application in relation to the inoculation date to be determined.