Relative Susceptibility of Selected Apple Cultivars to Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera leucotricha

Abstract

Apple powdery mildew thrives during dry spring and summer weather wherever apples are grown. The fungus perennates in buds, making it difficult to control and, although it can cause fruit russet, it primarily causes losses due to its chronic effect on tree vigor and yield. Data were collected over several years from 1995 (23 entries) and 1999 (22 entries) plantings of new apple cultivars and selections established at multiple locations as part of regional project NE-183. The cultivars Golden Delicious and McIntosh were the standards in both plantings. Incidence of powdery mildew on leaves and fruit was observed and data were analyzed to determine differences due to location and cultivar. One of the two planting group analyses indicated the significance of cultivar differences due to location. In general, the cultivars Ginger Gold, Suncrisp, GoldRush, Crimson Crisp, and Delblush, and the selection CQR10T17 were the most susceptible, whereas the cultivars Gala Supreme, Enterprise, Zestar, September Wonder, Hampshire, and the selections NY 75414-1 and NY 79507-72 exhibited the lowest incidences of mildew. Pinova was the most highly susceptible cultivar to mildew on fruit in Virginia, followed by Crimson Crisp and the selection NY 65707-19. Percent leaf area with mildew was related to incidence of mildew on leaves; however, fruit symptoms were not significantly related to disease incidence or severity on the foliage. Accepted for publication 11 September 2009. Published 19 November 2009.