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Project Leader(s): T. J. Burr, Dept. Plant Pathology,
NYSAES-Geneva
Type of grant: Biological control and
pest biology
Project location(s): Nationally
Abstract: The goal of this work is to develop IPM strategies
for control of apple fruit russet that is caused by Aureobasidium pullulans
, a common fungal inhabitant of apple surfaces. We determined that the fungus
is highly tolerant of pH changes and therefore attempting to alter the surface
pH of the fruit is not likely to impact russet. Gibberellin applications significantly
reduce the amount of fruit russet, however are not as effective as fungicides.
A. pullulans varies considerably with regard to sensitivity to fungicides
such as captan, polyram and the strobilurin group. This is likely to result
in less than desireable russet control. Isolates of the fungus that were isolated
from plants that were not likely to be sprayed with fungicides were more sensitive
to the fungicides. This suggests that repeated use of the fungicides has resulted
in a population of fungi that are tolerant of them. This is interesting because
previously there were no reports of fungi developing tolerance to fungicides
such as captan and polyram.
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