Apple growers are being called to aid apple disease research to improve orchard productivity and profitability

Apple growers are being called on to contribute to apple disease research in a bid to improve the productivity and profitability of orchards across Australia. Most Australian apple varieties are highly susceptible to apple scab — also known as black spot — caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. The research will use DNA analysis and new monitoring tools to help devise orchard management strategies to reduce the fungicide resistance risk and help plant breeders identify genetic selections for future tolerant varieties. The project is assessing and verifying the prevalence of apple scab and fungicide resistance across Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development senior research scientist Andrew Taylor encouraged growers to send samples through using free sampling packs as soon as possible, as the window for apple scab symptoms is closing fast. “We really need growers’ help by providing infected leaf or fruit samples to help establish the prevalence of fungicide resistance in the apple scab types found across Australia to progress the research,” he said. Cultivars from the Australian National Apple Breeding Program’s orchard at DPIRD’s Manjimup Research Station will also be screened for disease resistance during the project. Dr Taylor said the information would help plant breeders create new high-performance apple varieties that are resistant to apple scab and require fewer or no fungicide applications, against the disease. “To date, apple breeding has focused on taste, storage, visual appeal and yield,” he said. “This research will assist the ANABP to include apple scab disease resistance in selections by identifying suitable cultivars that can be used as parent crosses. “While it takes about two decades to develop a new cultivar for release, this research will provide a big leap by identifying high potential cultivars in the early stages of a breeding program.” The research will also evaluate the effectiveness of existing commercial decision support systems, initially designed for the Northern Hemisphere. The project is a collaboration between DPIRD, Curtin University’s Centre for Crop and Disease Management, and the Cooperative Research Centre for Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agribusiness, Food, and Environment. Progress on the research will be shared with growers and industry in future field days and workshops.