Comparing disease resistance of local and international plum cultivars (Prunus domestica) from Eastern Transylvania, Romania

Abstract

Assessments were carried out to evaluate disease susceptibility in two local and three internationally recognised plum cultivars (‘D’Agen’, ‘Stanley’ and ‘Tuleu gras’). The following pathogens were evaluated weekly: plum pox virus (PPV), funguses blackthorn dotty (Polystigma rubrum), red rust (Tranzscheila spp.), shot-hole disease (Stigmina carpophila) and blossom blight (Monilinia laxa). According to the results, one of the local cultivars assessed (Local 2) presented virtually no virus infestation even under high mealy plum aphid (Hyalopterus pruni) density. Therefore, this cultivar can be considered PPV resistant. Local cultivar 1 also presented very low susceptibility to shot hole and blossom blight. Both may be promising genetic sources in breeding programmes against pathogens.