State of Knowledge of Apple Marssonina Blotch (AMB) Disease among Gunwi Farmers

Abstract

Purpose: Fuji apples are one of the top selling exports for South Korea bringing in over $233.4 million in 2013. However, during the last few decades, about half of the Fuji apple orchards have been infected by Apple Marssonina Blotch disease (AMB), a fungal disease caused by Diplocarpon mali., which takes about 40 days to exhibit obvious visible symptoms. Infected leaves turn yellow and begin growing brown lesions. AMB promotes early defoliation and reduces the quality and quantity of apples an infected tree can produce. Currently, there is no prediction model for AMB on the market. Methods: The Precision Agriculture Laboratory (PAL) at the University of Florida (UF) has been working with the National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, South Korea to investigate the use of hyperspectral data in creating an early detection method for AMB. The RDA has been researching hyperspectral techniques for disease detection at their Apple Research Station in Gunwi since 2012 and disseminates its findings to the local farmers. These farmers were surveyed to assess the state of knowledge of AMB in the area. Out of a population of about 750 growers, 111 surveys were completed (confidence interval of +/- 8.59%, confidence level of 95%, p-value of 0.05). Results: The survey revealed 32% of the farmers did not know what AMB was, but 45% of farmers have had their orchards infected by AMB. Twenty-five percent could not distinguish AMB from other symptoms. Overwhelmingly, 80% of farmers strongly believed an early detection method for AMB was necessary. Conclusions: The results of the survey will help to evaluate the outreach programs of the RDA so they can more effectively educate farmers on the identifying, treating, and mediating AMB.