No description available.

No description available.

Reducing apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) crop load during bloom is a reliable option for increasing fruit quality and return bloom. In this thesis, multiple approaches to improving bloom thinning practices are discussed. The first project analyzed the pollen tube growth of several crabapple cultivars. Previous research had improved the use of bloom thinning chemicals, by coordinating the application timing with the pollen tube growth between pollination and fertilization. However, pollen tube growth rates have only been measured in a few genotypes. In Chapter 2, the pollen tube growth rates of five crabapple cultivars were measured in the styles of 'Fuji', 'Golden Delicious', and 'Pink Lady' flowers, at four temperatures 12, 18, 24 and 30 C. Complex relationships were found among paternal pollen tube growth, maternal cultivar, and temperature. Chapters 3 and 4 describe projects where organically-approved chemicals, including the biofungicide, Regalia, were evaluated for their ability to simultaneously reduce crop load and decrease early season disease infection. These chemicals were applied in conventionally managed orchards (Chapter 3), and in an organically-managed 'Honeycrisp' orchard (Chapter 4). The number of chemicals approved for bloom thinning is limited, especially in the Eastern U.S. where lime sulfur and oil applications are not permitted during bloom. These studies indicate Regalia, applied during bloom, can reduce crop load and provide early season disease control. The research presented in this thesis provides new knowledge that can be incorporated into crop load management practices in both conventional and organic apple orchards. / Master of Science

Apple scab (causal organism: Venturia inaequalis) is an economically devastating disease of apples that is predominantly controlled with fungicides. Of the chemical classes currently available, the sterol-inhibiting (SI) and strobilurin (QoI) fungicides are the most commonly used. Recent observations indicate that V. inaequalis populations in Virginia have developed resistance to myclobutanil and other SIs. However, little is known about the frequency and distribution of SI and QoI resistance in Virginia's scab populations. The first objective of this research was to evaluate V. inaequalis populations in Virginia for SI and QoI resistance. Fungal isolates were collected from experimental orchards at the Alson H. Smith Jr., Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AHS AREC) and from commercial orchards in Virginia and Maryland. Sensitivities were determined by assessing colony growth at 19°C on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 0 or 1.0 µg ml-1 of myclobutanil (SI) (N=87) or trifloxystrobin (QoI) (N=25) at 28 days. A range of fungicide sensitivity was observed for both chemical classes. The second objective of this research was to monitor the temporal dynamics of SI resistance over five sequential field seasons. To monitor shoot growth, neon rubber bands were placed over actively growing shoot tips following myclobutanil application or sample collection. Fungal isolates were collected from the same trees from 2007 through 2010 (N=176) and compared with isolates collected from wild apple seedlings (N=3). A continuum of SI resistance was observed for each year, and the V. inaequalis population exhibited a baseline shifted toward reduced sensitivity. The third objective of this research was to examine the spatial distribution of SI fungicide resistance within the tree canopy in a lower-density orchard (less than 150 trees A-1). Leaves collected from larger trees (>8m) in a lower-density orchard at the AHS AREC were analyzed for manganese deposition, pre- and post-mancozeb application. Fungal isolates (N=105) were collected from several locations within the canopy in replicated trees in the same orchard. Weather sensors also monitored the microclimates within those tree canopies. Spray deposition, microclimate and SI resistance were influenced by canopy location. The fourth objective of this research was to investigate potential SI resistance mechanisms. Previously classified isolates were screened for point mutations within the CYP51A1 gene (Appendix C), differences in polymorphic bands (alleles) (Appendix D), and differences in metabolism of myclobutanil (Appendix E). The consensus sequences for the CYP51A1 gene were identical for all isolates tested (N=9), and results from amplified fragment length polymorphism experiment (N=82) were inconclusive. There were, however, significant differences among incubation time and myclobutanil concentration in the bioassay (N=11). Our results indicate that myclobutanil is still an effective compound for control of apple scab in many areas of Virginia. / Ph. D.

Apple scab is the most important disease of apples in most of the world. The disease, caused by Venturia inaequalis, is controlled by numerous fungicide applications, regardless of the presence of inoculum in the orchard. Better timing of fungicide applications could be achieved if the airborne ascospore concentration (AAC) was considered in decision making. AAC can be measured in real time using spore traps. In this project, the relationship between AAC and lesions development was studied under controlled and natural conditions for five cultivars: Empire, McIntosh, Jonagold, Royal Gala, and Spartan. Potted trees were exposed to different airborne ascospore inoculum and the corresponding AAC were measured using spore traps. The spatial distribution of ascospores was studied in a commercial apple orchard plot. The potential ascospore dose (PAD) and the AAC were measured in 40 quadrats in the spring of 1999. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The aim of the research. To identify genes involved in V. inaequalis induced resistance response in Malus sp. and to develop apple hybrids with pyramidic resistance. Specific aims: 1. To characterize the genetic diversity and resistance to apple scab in the collection of apple genetic resources; 2. To develop apple hybrids of pyramidic resistance for apple breeding; 3. To characterize apple nuclear proteome and to perform a comparative genomic analysis of V. inaequalis induced Malus response; 4. To identify apple resistance genes involved in response to apple scab and to develop functional markers. / Tyrimų tikslas: identifikuoti V. inaequalis indukuojamo Malus sp. apsauginio atsako reikšmingus genus ir sukurti piramidinio atsparumo rauplėgrybiui donorus obels selekcijai. Tyrimų uždaviniai: 1. Charakterizuoti obels genetinių išteklių įvairovę bei nustatyti jų atsparumą rauplėgrybiui; 2. Sukurti ir atrinkti superjautrumo atsaku pagrįsto piramidinio atsparumo donorus obels selekcijai; 3. Charakterizuoti naminės obels ląstelės branduolio proteomą ir atlikti V. inaequalis indukuojamo atsako lyginamosios genomikos analizę; 4. Identifikuoti obels atsparumo rauplėgrybiui reikšmingus genus ir sukurti obels atsparumo ligoms funkcinius žymeklius.

The aim of this master‘s thesis was to determine the aroma active compounds and monitor the sensory quality of apples. The theoretical part deals with the description, composition and properties of apples, information about the aroma compounds, their determination and possibilities for sensory evaluation of apples is also given. The gas chromatography method combined with the solid-phase microextraction, utilized for the specification of aroma compounds, is described. In the experimental part, the SPME-GC-FID method was applied on selected cultivars of apples specially cultivated against apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), i.e. 24 genotypes and Golden Delicious as the control variety. In total 60 various aroma compounds were identified, 22 alcohols, 12 aldehydes, 11 ketones, 10 esters and 5 organic acids. The number and concentration of compounds identified differed according to the cultivars. Sensory analysis was performed using category ordinal scales and the profile test.

No description available.

With a changing global climate, plant pathologists must understand the impact aberrant weather events may have on the development of plant diseases. Fungal plant infections are largely dependent on temperature and precipitation, climate parameters that are predicted to change more in this century. Venturia inaequalis causes apple scab, one of the most destructive apple diseases of temperate growing regions. Temperature and precipitation drive apple scab infections and forecast models, which guide growers in efficient, effective fungicide applications. In some recent years in the Northeast, these models have failed to accurately predict when ascospores of this fungus are available to cause primary infections, prompting more fungicide intensive management. Identifying cause(s) of model failures will restore confidence in them, enabling growers to reduce fungicide use. As technology becomes an increasingly important component of on farm decision-making, so does educating new farmers and agricultural students in the benefits of Integrated Pest Management and challenges associated with models early on in their college educational experience. This research attempts to identify reasons for ascospore maturity model failures, determine to what degree critical ascospore maturity parameters have changed and create a tool that educators may use to engage undergraduate students in the complexities of Integrated Pest Management research and modern farming. It will more specifically do the following: 1) Dry periods will be analyzed to determine if frequency and duration are increasing, causing the fungus to mature over a longer period of time than models currently estimate. 2) Degree-days during fall and winter will be examined to estimate what effect a warming climate may have on ascospore and tree development, and ultimately apple scab occurrence. The research will use lab and field observations to track the development of V. inaequalis ascospores, the source of primary apple scab infections. These observations will be compared to infection events and spore maturation forecasts from models currently used by apple growers in the Northeast. 3) A case study developed for publication in American Phytopathological Societies’ Plant Health Instructor will provide early career college students with an introduction to forecasting models, Integrated Pest Management and the challenges associated with climate variability.

This diploma thesis deals with a problem of spores venturia inaequlis recognition. These spores are captured on a special tape which is then analyzed using a microscope. The tape can be analyzed by a laboratorian or by the program Sporedetect v3. This program provides functions for complete picture processing and object recognition. In this diploma thesis, there are also described ways to automatically control a sliding stage of a microscope utilizing motorized translation stages and linear actuators. The information about automatic control of a microscope stage was obtained from catalogues of the companies Standa and Edmundoptics.