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METHODS FOR MANAGING APPLE SCAB

Clemson Cooperative Extension Service

Nathan Hyder
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CONTENTS

Abstract 3

Background and Impact of Apple Scab

Basic Background Information

Signs and Symptoms

Spread of Apple Scab Formatted: Font color: Auto

Options Available to Farmers 4 Formatted: Font color: Accent 6

Successful Management Strategies

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Prevention

Chemical Management

Organic Management

Conclusion 76

FIGURES

Figure 1 43

Figures 2, 3 5
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Figures 4-6Figure 3

Figure 4 5

Figure 5 5

Figure 6 6

Formatted: Line spacing: Double

ABSTRACT
Apple scab has plagued apple growers for decades. The disease can become very
expensive both in terms of management as well as potential losses if no management is present.
Farmers in every industry, especially the fruit industry are always concerned with the appearance
and health of their crops. Also, in the front of their mind are efficiency when it comes to
weighing the cost and benefits of every action. Without management apple scab can become
detrimental, but with proper spraying patterns as well as orchard maintenance the disease is very
manageable.

BACKGROUND AND IMPACT OF APPLE SCAB

Basic Background Information
Apple scab is one of the more severe diseases that apple growers face in todays market.
Anything from commercial growers to at home growers who have just a few trees in their back-
yard face challenges presented by the disease. Apple scab must be properly managed and control
to avoid losing profits and product. The disease is the most common one that attacks the fruit and
unless you know that a variety is resistant, it is safe to assume that the trees are considered to be
“highly susceptible” (University of Maine, 2021). Obvious signs of the disease can include, but
are not limited to, brown spots or dead leaves, and rough/holes and spots on the fruit itself. If you
do not see these symptoms present, and are not currently implementing a management plan, you
can probably assume the variety is resistant or you have just been lucky for the year.
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Signs and Symptoms

The disease first shows up on the leaves. Small brown spots appear and are usually
angular in shape. Spots may grow and develop into larger/darker spots up to one-half inch in
size. The leaves eventually turn yellow and fall off prematurely creating stress on the tree and
fruit. Later symptoms appear on the fruit itself and create brown or black spots. These spots are
often callus like, hence the name, Apple Scab. When the disease is most severe, these spots can
grow into splits and cracks on the surface of the fruit resulting in culled fruit or rotting (ISU
Extension and Outreach, 2021). This is where the problem lies with the disease. Growers must
choose between the added cost of management or the potential worsening of the disease and
potential profit losses. Some of the worst effects can be shown in Figure 1. Profit losses can add
up quickly as can the added cost of management. Sprays are often times very expensive and can
be applied at heavy doses.

Figure 1. Severe effects of Apple Scab

Spread of Apple Scab Formatted: Font: Bold

Formatted: Font: Bold
Apple scab is caused in apple by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. The fungus overwinters, meaning that it
Formatted: Font: Bold
survives the winter months by living in dead leaves left on the ground around the base of trees (ISU Extension and
Outreach, 2021). When the weather shifts and starts warming, the fungus produces spores which are then spread
by wind to new developing leaves. Additionally, once infection has begun, more spores are produces causing
reinfection and further spread to more leaves and fruit. Conditions favorable for spread include cool wet weather.
Given that weather can vary the rate of spread, severity can be worse from year to year. When the weather is
warm during the summer months, infection slows but can still be severe in periods of extremely wet weather
during the summer. The weather conditions as well as the stubborn overwintering of the disease results in a very
hard problem to get under control for most farmers.
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OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO FARMERS

In an ideal world, farmers wish to avoid primary infection. The way to do this is to avoid
planting disease susceptible varieties. Some of the most popular varieties that are considered to
be highly susceptible include the Golden Delicious and the Granny Smith varieties (Harper et.
al., 2021). That being said, the most common and the most successful management strategy is to
keep the disease under control using chemical sprays. Chemicals are not always favored by the
general public and some farmers appeal to those consumers by growing “organic crops”. This
type of management would be done through orchard management techniques like removing dead
leaves or infected fruit. However, as previously mentioned most farmers would favor the
simplicity of simply using sprays to keep the disease under control.

SPREAD OF APPLE SCAB

Apple scab is causes in apple by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. The fungus overwinters, meaning that it
survives the winter months by living in dead leaves left on the ground around the base of trees (ISU Extension and
Outreach, 2021). When the weather shifts and starts warming, the fungus produces spores which are then spread
by wind to new developing leaves. Additional, once infection has begun, more spores are produces causing
reinfection and further spread to more leaves and fruit. Conditions favorable for spread include cool wet weather.
Given that weather can vary the rate of spread, severity can be worse from year to year. When the weather is
warm during the summer months, infection slows but can still be severe in periods of extremely wet weather
during the summer.

SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Prevention
The most tried and truth method as far as prevention goes, it to plant disease resistant
varieties. However, that is not always possible. Examples of apple scab resistant varieties include
Crimson Crisp, Crimson Topaz, Enterprise, GoldRush, Liberty, and Redfree (Harper et. al.,
2021). However, some of the most sought after and favorite varieties of apples by consumers, are
considered to be highly susceptible to apple scab. Some of the most popular varieties that are
considered to be highly susceptible include the Golden Delicious and the Granny Smith varieties.
This means further management practices are often times necessary to keep lost products to a
minimum. When someone wishes to grow organic apples, this further complicates matters by
limiting the amountnumber of fungicides that are allowed to be used for the fruit to still be
considered “organic”.
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Chemical Management
Chemical treatments can become very complex but are usually necessary to keep the
disease under control. These chemical sprays are usually applied on a weekly basis but no longer
than ten days in between. However, the grower can access the apple scab risk by observing
weather and rain forecast. Spraying is a very important factor in farming if you wish to have a
plentiful and healthy crop.

The first time period to look at for spraying is when the trees are dormant through the
time when green tip shoots start emerging on the tree. The fungicide to be used during this time
should be a copper-based fungicide that gives between five to seven-days protection against
scab. Some example brand of these chemicals are Captan 50W in addition to Dithane M45 but
any spray that is equivalents of these two will suffice (Apple Scab, 2019). During this stage the
shoots will be dormant when they look similar to Figure 2 and in green tip when they are similar
to Figure 3.

Figure 2. Dormant shoot. Figure 3. Apple shoot in the green tip stage

The next spray period is the tight cluster through pink stages. In this stage if risk for
spread is still low, the previous two sprays are still sufficient. The combination of Captan 50W
in addition to Dithane M45 should be considered a multi-site application. If spread risk is high
due to weather however, a site-specific spray can be applied as well. Some examples of these
sprays are strobilurine / QoI, SDHI , or SDHI plus QoI pre-mix (Apple Scab, 2019). Tight cluster
stage can be shown in Figure 4 and pink stage can be seen in Figure 5.
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Figure 4. Tight cluster stage in apples. Figure 5. Pink stage

The final timing interval for spraying is the petal fall through first cover phases. In this
time frame, any of the previously mentioned mixes are still sufficient for use. If these fungicides
are not enough however, a DMI fungicide with high efficacy against scab can be used (Apple
Scab, 2019). The petal fall stage can be shown in Figure 6 and is recognized as when the blooms
fall off and give way to fruit. First cover is defined as when leaves start covering the tree.

Figure 6. Petal Fall stagee

Organic Management
Organic treatments are very limited because most growers who are going for the organic
label, do not wish to apply any chemicals. The best management practices for this scenario are to
remove dead leaves and any wild apple trees. Crab apple trees put off the same spores that spread
the disease. Also, since the disease over winters in dead leaves, removing the dead leaves from
the orchard by blowing and cutting is a good way to limit spread in the spring. Pruning is also
very important since it allows for good airflow throughout the whole tree, which in return
reduces primary infections.
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CONCLUSION
Anyone who has previously grown apples has probably already seen the severe effects
that scab can have on their products. Whether the product is being grown for your own
consumption or for commercial purposes losses add up quickly. Fruit crops are often sold based
off first glance appearances. Apple scab can turn away potential buyers very quickly and cause
reduces sales or even culling before the product goes to market. The disease is a complicated one
but with proper management can be held under control to a certain extent. As previously
mentioned, organic treatments are very limited and not very successful in keeping the disease at
bay. At this time, the best type of management is to spray for apple scab on a weekly basis.

REFERENCES

“Apple Scab.” New England Tree Fruit Management Guide, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 17 Mar. 2019,
netreefruit.org/apples/diseases/apple-scab.

Harper, Jayson K., et al. “Apple Production.” Penn State Extension, The Pennsylvania State University, 26 Mar.
2021, extension.psu.edu/apple-production.

ISU Extension and Outreach. “Apple and Crabapple Scab.” Apple and Crabapple Scab | Horticulture and Home Pest
News, 2021, hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/apple-and-crabapple-scab

“Managing Pests & Diseases in an Organic Apple Orchard.” Tree Fruit, 2012.

University of Maine. “Home Apple Orchard Pest Management Overview - Cooperative Extension: Insect Pests, Ticks
and Plant Diseases - University of Maine Cooperative Extension.” Cooperative Extension: Insect Pests,
Ticks and Plant Diseases, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 2021,
extension.umaine.edu/ipm/apple/publications/home-apple-orchard-overview/.