Leaves as a source of scab infections

Most pear growers experienced the past year as one in which scab was relatively easy to control. Nevertheless, in Randwijk, in plots with high scab pressure, we still saw a significant increase in leaf scab after harvest. On the fallen leaves, the scab can now prepare for the new growing season. In spring, the ascospores – the sexual scab spores – are actively released from fruiting bodies in the fallen leaves, leading to new infections.
This coming winter, WUR will study the ascospore development of pear scab on behalf of Oxin Growers. The first moment of spore release is an important focus point, but the spore flights will also be mapped. The results are an important component for optimizing the warning model for pear scab. This is part of developing a management strategy for pear scab in Conference.