Apricot Orchards Research Articles

Weed community evolution under diversification managements in a new planted organic apricot orchard

Biodiversity conservation and promotion of agroecology (including organic farming) are focused as priorities by European Commission, as reported in the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork Strategies. In this context, agricultural practices can be considered for their contribution to harnessing ecosystem services to sustain agricultural production, while minimising negative environmental effects. Among these, redesigning agricultural systems through diversification practices can be very promising by exploiting the natural biodiversity in space and time, and connecting farms with natural environments. Being an interface between above and belowground, spontaneous plants (i.e., the weeds) are considered valuable agroecosystem components that, if properly managed, provide ecosystem functions and services, and holding key role for biodiversity conservation within agroecosystems. In this study, we explored the response of spontaneous flora communities in terms of abundance, diversity, and functional traits to different soil and agrobiodiversity management strategies (soil ripping vs reduced tillage at orchard planting, soil tillage vs minimum/no tillage in orchard floor management over 5 years) and cover crop introduction in a new planted organic apricot orchard. Our results showed the strong impact of the planting operation on pre-existing spontaneous flora community structure but a resilient trajectory in the following years in recovering the previous community traits distribution. Interannual variability was the main factor affecting communities. However, the reduced tillage condition showed a conservative trend of the incidence of perennials in the community, while the introduction of cover crops generally decreased species richness and abundance. Understanding the mechanisms by which soil management practices affect weed communities can guide the designing of sustainable agroecosystems, preserving their functionality and biodiversity over time.

PROTECTION OF THE APRICOT CROP AGAINST DISEASES IN THE OSTROV FRUIT GROWING AREA

Due to its physiological, ecological and technological peculiarities of the species, apricot culture involves a whole series of challenges and requires special attention and fruit growers’ skillness. Being an early flowering plant, sensitive to various diseases and pests, root asphyxiation, spring frosts and other unfavorable factors, yields are often reduced and are a factor that is limiting the areas and farmers' interest in the expansion and development of this crop. Also, the complex of diseases and pests to which this culture is exposed may cause the manifestation of the enigmatic disease called apoplexy or premature demise of the apricot. The paper highlights the importance and special role of effective disease control in an apricot orchard in the southern area of Dobrogea in order to obtain a quantitatively and qualitatively increased yield. A total of 11 phytosanitary treatments were applied to control brown rot, gumspot of stone fruit, scab and powdery mildew. The assessments at 7-10 days after each treatment for Comandor and Farbaly varieties proved a good efficacy ranging from 86.67 to 100%. So that the production of apricots intended for sale was approx 12 tons per hectare.

Prevalence Areas and Damage Rate of Contarinia Pruniflorum Coutin & Rambier (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Apricot Orchards in Malatya and Elazığ provinces (Turkey)

Apricot flower midge (Contarinia pruniflorum) emerged in February-March and lay eggs on the flower buds of the apricot trees. The larvae hatching feeds through the bud wall and flower genital organs. The damaged flower does not turn into fruit. It is a pest that directly affects the yield.prevalence areas in apricot orchards in Malatya (Turkey) and the damage rate were determined. The highest infestation rate of the pest is in Kale and Battalgazi districts of Malatya and Baskil district of Elazığ with 100 %, then, Yeşilyurt 95%,Yazıhan 90%,Akçadağ 76%, Darende 75%, Kuluncak 50%, Arguvan 50% and Doğanşehir 12.5% followed by infestation rates. No pests were found in the orchards which were controlled in Hekimhan district of Malatya and Elbistan district of Kahramanmaraş. Although the damage rate varies according to years, it was determined that the flower damage rate was 0.7% and the fruit set rate was 10.6 % in orchard in Kale where the pest control is done, while the damage rate was 11.8% and the fruit set rate was 2.9% in the orchard without pest control in 2017.In 2018, when compared with orchards with or without pest control, while there was damage in the number of flowers, but there was no change in the amount of fruit.

Farklı Meyve Türlerinde ve Lokasyonlarda Grapholita molesta (Busck 1916) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) ‘nın Ergin Popülasyon Gelişmesi

Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta Busck (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important fruit pest with a wide range of host in many fruit producing countries. This study was conducted with the purpose of determining the adult population development of G. molesta on different fruit species in different locations in Çanakkale province of Turkey. With this purpose pheromone traps were placed in peach, cherry and apricot orchards in Central, Biga, Lapseki and Bayramiç districts of Çanakkale province. The traps were checked weekly and the number of adult G. molesta in traps were recorded. At the end of the study, the pest is confirmed to exist in all fruit producing areas of Çanakkale province. First adult emergence was at early May with the adult population continuing until October. The pest has 2-3 generations throughout production season, which may change with relation to fruit species and location. According to the statistical analysis of the data, both location and fruit species have significant effects on adult population development of the pest with the highest population occuring in peach as the fruit species and Lapseki disrict as the location. It is thought that, the differences in adult population density and development between orchards with the same fruit species is caused by different fruit cultivars used in orchards, different treatments by farmers and climate differences.

Malatya ili kayısı bahçelerinde Capnodis tenebrionis L. ve Capnodis carbonaria L. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) türlerinin mevsimsel popülasyon yoğunluğu ve zarar oranları

Aims: Seasonal population fluctuations and damage rates of Capnodis tenebrionis L. and Capnodis carbonaria L. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in apricot orchards in Malatya province.Methods and Results: The study was conducted in 2010-2011 in thirteen apricot orchards in Akçadağ, Battalgazi and Doğanşehir districts of Malatya province. The study was carried out in seven and six apricot orchards in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In both years, the sampled apricot orchards were visited every week and counts were done by visual inspection method. After two years of the study, the population density of pest varied between each sampling year. A total of 1020 Capnodis adults were collected in 2010 from all the sampling areas. Among these, 805 were C. tenebrionis (688♂:117♀) and 215 were C. carbonaria (193♂:22♀). The first adult male and female emergence for C. tenebrionis was observed on 27th April and 18th May in 2010 respectively. For C. carbonaria first male and female emergence was observed on 22nd June and 20th July respectively. A total of 1170 Capnodis adults were collected in 2011 from all the sampling areas. Among these, 903 were C. tenebrionis (790♂:113♀) and 267 were C. carbonaria (225♂:42♀). The first adult male and female emergence for C. tenebrionis was observed on 23rd April and 30th April in 2011 respectively.Conclusions: In 2010, the largest percentages of C. tenebrionis male were collected in August, July and September, while those of its female were collected in August, September and July. The highest number of C. carbonaria male and female were collected in August, September and July. In 2011, the largest percentages of C. tenebrionis male and female were collected in July, August, September and June. The largest percentages of C. carbonaria male were collected in July, August, September and June, while those of its female were collected in July, August and June.Significance and Impact of the Study: The higher number of C. tenebrionis was collected by visual inspection method. The higher number of C. tenebrionis was collected than C. carbonaria in both years. The damage rates were observed on various varieties between 0.7-30 % in 2010 and 1.3-30 % in 2011.

The Close Relationship between the Careless Production of New Apricot Trees and the Spread of a Causal Agent of Bacterial Canker in Apricot Orchards

The Close Relationship between the Careless Production of New Apricot Trees and the Spread of a Causal Agent of Bacterial Canker in Apricot Orchards

New Tools for Mechanical Thinning of Apricot Fruitlets

In this study, the thinner machine with yellow rod equipment was tested in relation to tree branch length and orientation in April 2019, in a narrow-canopied apricot orchard of Emilia Romagna Region, Italy. The trees were mechanically thinned with manual finishing, and comparative tests were carried out simultaneously with the ordinary hand thinning (control). Three groups of two plants were identified as replication for a total of six plants per row. Three rows were checked, considering field uniformity average. The branches were grouped into four classes according to their length: <30 cm, 30–60 cm, 60–90 cm and >90 cm. Branch inclination on the plant, radial or longitudinal with respect to the row, was evaluated. Fruit number before the thinning, after the first and the second machine intervention, after three days of the mechanical thinning and after the hand finishing was recorded. This experience showed satisfactory results in terms of thinning efficiency and reduced damage to both fruits and branches, as a function of the class length and insertion point in the main branch of the plant. Thinning efficiency was always kept above 37% of the left load after hand finishing, and on average between the treatments close to 44%. Fruit damages always remained below the economic thresholds to marketable production or to the plant.

Trifolium subterraneum cover cropping enhances soil fertility and weed seedbank dynamics in a Mediterranean apricot orchard

The soils of Mediterranean semiarid environments are commonly characterized by low levels of organic matter and mineral elements, as well as severe weed infestations, which, taken together, cause an intensive use of auxiliary inputs (tillage, fertilizers, herbicides). Although cover crops are recognized to sustainably improve soil health, the impact of Trifolium subterraneum L. cover cropping needs specific attention. This research investigates for the first time the effects over 4 years of T. subterraneum and spontaneous flora cover crops, after either incorporating their dead mulches into the soil or leaving them on the soil surface, on soil organic matter (SOM), macroelements, mineral nitrogen, microelements, and weed seedbank dynamics as indicators of soil quality in an apricot orchard. Compared to a conventional management control, the T. subterraneum cover crop with the burying of dead mulch into the soil increased the amount of SOM (+ 15%), ammoniacal (+ 194%) and nitric (+ 308%) nitrogen, assimilable P2O5 (+ 5%), exchangeable K2O (+ 14%), exchangeable Na (+ 32%), exchangeable K (+ 16%), Fe (+ 15%), Mn (+ 28%), Zn (+ 36%), and Cu (+ 24%), while it decreased the weed seedbank size (‒ 54%) and enhanced weed biodiversity. These findings suggest that T. subterraneum cover cropping may be an environment-friendly tool to enhance soil quality and limit auxiliary input supply in Mediterranean orchards.

The effect of cover crops on composition and diversity of weeds in an apricot orchard

Apricot, Turkey's exports is the important role played by fruit, the weeds are the main factors that cause problems in the apricot orchards. This study was carried out in Malatya between 2014-2016 in order to determine the effects of cover crops on the control of weeds that cause problems in these areas and also on species distribution, diversity and dominance. As annual winter cover plants in the study: Vicia villosa Roth (hairy vetch), Vicia pannonica Crantz (Hungarian vetch), V. pannonica + Triticale (V.pannonica 70% + Triticale 30%) mixture and Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham (lacy phacelia) and Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (buckwheat) was used as a summer cover plant. Weed diversity index (H) and Simpson's dominance index (Sd) values were also calculated in the study. In addition, applications were subjected to canonical discriminant analysis. The highest value of the weed diversity index (H) in the two-year period was obtained from the weed control plots. It has been determined that perennial weeds (Convolvulus arvensis and Sorghum halepense) are the dominant species in cover plants and there are also differences between practices. It has been determined that annual weeds are generally suppressed and their diversity has decreased significantly in the plots except for F. esculentum. The results obtained from the canonical discriminant analysis showed that the highest numbers of weed species in the 1st and 2nd years were found in the weedy control plots and that the cover crops suppressed the weeds.

Pseudomonas putida Isolation and Quantification by Real-Time PCR in Agricultural Soil Biodegradable Mulching

To reduce the plastic waste problem in agriculture, biodegradable plastic (BP) mulch films have become of key importance thanks to their biodegradability and beneficial effects on crops. However, at present, BPs cannot always replace conventional plastics, because biodegradation is governed by many biotic and abiotic factors under field conditions. This research aimed at isolating and identifying, from soil particles directly attached to the surface of BP samples, the microorganisms responsible of degradation through a combined approach based on biodegradation and molecular tests. For this purpose, a field trial within a Mediterranean apricot orchard was carried out to study the biodegradation of a commercial BP mulch with respect to a no-BP, a conventional apricot management, following the standard agricultural practices, and a subterranean clover cover cropping, either incorporating or leaving its dead mulches on the soil surface. After BP film appeared visibly degraded in field, we isolated from soil particles attached to the polymer surface, a mesophilic bacterium with certain degradative potential assessed by plate and liquid assays, identified by sequencing as Pseudomonas putida. Quantitative real time PCR analysis showed the P. putida was significantly more abundant in PB plots than the other plot treatments. These preliminary results are potentially applicable to accelerate the degradation of BP mulch films and decrease the plastic pollution in agriculture.

Attraction effectiveness of funnel traps in tones of blue and different heights together with a light source against apricot pests [Tropinota hirta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae)

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of different traps, attractants and food traps parameters against to Trophinota hirta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Ciconiidae) in the apricot orchards in Baskil district of Elazig province in 2018. For this purpose; By hanging funnel traps containing attractive capsules including Trans-cinnamyl alcohol + Trans-anethol + Methoxyphenethyl alcohol mixtures in apricot orchards, the effect of mass trapping of the pest at different height and combination of light sources was investigated. Another parameter used in the study was the number of adults captured in funnel traps, in which wine-bearing traps were placed at a ratio of 1/1. As a result of the research; It has been determined that the most successful experiment in mass trapping experiments against T. hirta in apricot orchards was the funnel-trap combination with Trans-cinnamyl alcohol+Trans-anethol+Methoxyphenethyl alcohol mixed with illuminated 3 and 1 m high. In this trap parameter; It was determined that statistically more T. hirta individuals were captured compared to other trap parameters. Statistically; In the examination of the average values; the highest number of individuals was captured with an average of 70.35 at 1 m high with 3 lights, the second at 1 m with 60.45 lights, and the third and the most at 1 m with 59.05 without light. It was determined that it was also

Effect of Biofertilizers Application on Soil Biodiversity and Litter Degradation in a Commercial Apricot Orchard

The aim of the present experiment was to determine if the supply of biofertilizers could differently stimulate the native microbiota, thus determining different patterns of organic material decomposition processes. The microbial composition of soil and litter was investigated by next generation sequencing using a metabarcoding approach. The chemical structure of the decomposing litterbags was investigated through the TG-DTA analysis and NIR spectroscopy. The study was conducted in an apricot orchard in Italy, and two different type of biofertilizers (AMF and Trichoderma spp.) were compared to unfertilized control over one year. Bacteria and fungi in soil, 162 days from litter deposition, evidenced differentiated clusters for control and both biofertilizers; on the other hand, only fungal composition of litterbags was modified as a consequence of Trichoderma spp. supply; no effect was observed in the bacterial community of litterbags. NIR and TG-DTA analysis evidenced a significant change over time of the chemical composition of litterbags with a faster degradation as a consequence of Trichoderma spp. supply testified by a higher degradation coefficient (1.9) than control (1.6) and AMF (1.7). The supply of biofertilizers partially modified the bacteria community of soil, while Trichoderma spp. Influenced the fungal community of the litter. Moreover, Trichoderma spp. Evidenced a faster and higher degradation of litter than AMF-biofertilizers, laying the foundation for an efficient use in orchard.

In Vitro Efficiency of Some Fungicides Against Neoscytalı̇dı̇um dı̇mı̇dı̇atum (Penz.) Crous and Slippers Causing Sudden Shoot Dry on Apricot Trees

Turkey is known as a top producer and exporter of apricots, both fresh and dried. More than half of Turkey's apricot production is provided by Malatya province. There are many pests and diseases affecting apricots in addition to climatic factors such as frost and hail. Partial shoot drying and sudden drying in apricot orchards have increased in recent years. In this study, it was aimed to determine the chemical control possibilities of Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous &Slippers, which is one of the fungal agents that cause partial branch drying and sudden drying in apricot orchards in Malatya province by in vitro studies. For this purpose, Kale 4-C isolate of N. dimidiatum collected from Malatya in a previous study was used. Mycelial growth of N. dimidiatum Kale 4-C isolate in PDA were observed in 0 (control), 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 1, 3, 10, 30 ve 100 μg/mL concentrations of Azoxystrobin 250g/L, Trifloxystrobin %50, Tebuconazole %25, Floupyram 200 g/L+Tebuconazole 200 g/L, Cyprodinil+Fludioxonil %37.5+25, %70 Thiophanate-Methyl and 400 g/L Phosphorous acide fungicides applications. As a result of the study, Floupyram 200g/L+Tebuconazole 200g/L ve Cyprodinil+Fludioxonil %37.5+25 fungicides effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus.

Pre-harvest Foliar Application of Calcium Chloride and Potassium Nitrate Influences Growth and Quality of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Fruit cv. ‘Shahroudi’

The rapid ripening and fruit size are two important factors, which significantly influence the economy and marketability of apricot. Generally, the postharvest quality of fresh crops depends on the quality achieved at harvest time, which is influenced considerably by pre-harvest factors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of foliar application of calcium chloride and potassium nitrate on the physical and biochemical attributes of apricot fruit. We evaluated the effect of foliar sprays of 0.5% or 1% calcium chloride (CaCl2) and 1% or 2% potassium nitrate (KNO3) on the yield and at harvest quality of apricot fruits cv. ‘Shahroudi’ during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The experiment was conducted in a commercial apricot orchard located in Birjand, Iran. The results indicated that twice foliar spray of both chemicals at the pre-harvest stage affected most of the evaluated traits in both years. KNO3 application at both concentrations significantly increased the length, width, and weight of apricot fruit and maintained total phenol content, vitamin C, and titratable acidity compared to the control. Interestingly, treated fruit with KNO3 solution at both concentrations increased fruit width (150%), fruit length (160%), and fresh fruit weight (180%), compared to the control. Besides, KNO3 (1% or 2%) and 1% CaCl2 treatments significantly increased fruit firmness (25%) and calcium content (35%) of fruit pulp compared to the control. Overall, the results suggest practical multiple practical application of both chemicals (particularly KNO3) at proper concentration and time during the growth season to improve the quality and increase the yield of apricot fruit ‘Shahroudi’ cultivar.

Change in soil water deficit and soil organic matter consumption over time in rain-fed apricot orchards on the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China

The impacts of massive reforestation on soil water and soil organic matter (SOM) in the ecosystem are attracting increasing attention worldwide. However, the response of the soil water content (SWC) and SOM after the conversion of agricultural land to economic forestland have not been sufficiently clarified in semi-arid areas. To investigate the influence of land-use change on the SWC and SOM dynamics, we examined the SWC (0–400 cm depth) and SOM (0–60 cm depth) and growth status of fruit trees in three apricot (Armeniaca vulgaris Lam.) orchards of different ages (7, 12, and 22 years) under extensive management, together with those of adjacent cropland (control) on the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that SWC significantly decreased with increasing stand age, and strong soil desiccation occurred in the 12-year-old apricot orchard after conversion from cropland. The annual growth rate of the dried soil layer between the 12th and 22nd years (12.00 cm y−1) was higher than that between the 1st and 12th years (6.67 cm y−1). The soil water deficit was 498.81 mm over 22 years in the 0–400 cm soil profiles. SOM stock was improved in the short term (7 y) compared with the cropland, and was consumed thereafter. Only the topsoil (0–20 cm soil profiles) experienced SOM consumption in the 12-year-old orchard, but the SOM of all soil layers was consumed in the 22-year-old orchard. In the 0–60 cm soil profiles over 22 years, the SOM consumption was 26.53 Mg ha−1. The length and diameter of peripheral branches generally decreased with increasing stand age; where those of the 22-year-old orchard were 83.87 % and 39.13 % lower than those of the 7-year-old orchard (P < 0.05). These results indicate that long-term planting of apricot trees under extensive management could aggravate soil water deficit and SOM consumption, and further limit apricot growth. Therefore, appropriate management measures should be implemented to maintain and improve the SWC and SOM conditions and enhance the productivity and vigour of the orchard over ten years of cultivation.

Characterisation of Metarhizium majus (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) isolated from the Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are important soil-dwelling entomopathogens, which can be used as biological control agents against pest insects. EPF are capable of causing lethal epizootics in pest insect populations in agroecosystems. During a survey of the orchard soil at an organic farm, different EPF species were collected and identified to species level, using both morphological and molecular techniques. The EPF were trapped from soil samples taken from an apricot orchard. The traps, which were baited in the laboratory, used susceptible host insects, including the last-instar larvae of Galleria mellonella (wax moth larvae) and Tenebrio molitor (mealworm larvae). The potential pathogenicity of the local Metarhizium majus isolate was tested and verified using susceptible laboratory-reared last-instar T. molitor larvae. The identification of the M. majus isolated from South African soil was verified using both morphological and molecular techniques. The occurrence of M. majus in the South African soil environment had not previously been reported.

Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas syringae isolates affecting stone fruits and almond in Montenegro

In Montenegro, stone fruit species are grown on intensive and semi-intensive commercial plantations. However, almond production is mainly organized on family gardens and for household consumption. During two seasons (2017–2018), we surveyed apricot, peach, nectarine, sweet cherry, Japanese plum, and almond orchards for the presence of bacterial diseases at different geographical locations in Montenegro. From leaf, petiole and fruit lesions, branch or twig cankers, and necrotizing buds, a total of 29 isolates were obtained and subjected to identification based on their morphological, pathogenic, biochemical, and molecular characteristics. Pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed by reproducing the symptoms on leaves, fruits, and twigs of the corresponding host plants. The biochemical tests indicated that the isolates belong to Pseudomonas syringae. However, isolates’ characterization showed variation in their phenotypic and molecular features. The presence of the syrB gene and ice nucleation activity grouped most of the isolates within pathovar syringae. The results of rep-PCR using the BOX primer revealed high genetic diversity of isolates. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), using four housekeeping genes, showed that 27 isolates belong to the genomic species 1, P. syringae sensu stricto, corresponding to P. syringae phylogroup 2. However, isolates from the same phylogroup 2 did not form a monophyletic group. One strain isolated from apricot was most distinct and similar to members of genomic species 2, phylogroup 3. All tested isolates showed significant levels of resistance to copper sulfate and high level of sensitivity to streptomycin sulfate in vitro.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS REGARDING THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOME NEW APRICOT CULTIVARS IN BUCUREȘTI AREA

The study presents the behaviour of 28 apricot cultivars planted in 2017 in the Experimental Field of the Faculty of Horticulture within the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. The foreign cultivars grafted on Myrobalan 29C, Saint Julien A and GF 677, were planted at 4.5 x 1.5 m and 3.5 x 2.0 m for Parallel U and respectively, 3.5 x 2.0 m for Trident canopy. Trees vegetative growth was evaluated by analysing the trunk cross section, tree height, fruiting branches number and length. First fruit yield was heighted and the productivity index was calculated. The results show differences in growth correlated with the canopy, cultivars and used rootstocks. Correlations between analysed parameters are presented. As a conclusion, the differences between the two canopies, Parallel U and Trident, using different types of rootstocks show their influence on the annual vegetative growth and on apricot trees productivity. Some preliminary conclusions can be drawn regarding the advantages and disadvantages of using the two canopies in apricot orchards.

Оccurrence of bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni on peach and apricot in Serbia.

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) causes bacterial spot of leaves and fruits, defoliation, fruit dropping and twigs, branches or trunk cankers in most cultivated and ornamental Prunus species. The bacterium is listed as an EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation) A2 quarantine pathogen. Xap was first detected in 2019 on peach [Prunus persica L., unknown cultivar (cv.)] leaves in a 13-year-old orchard located in Irig (GPS: 45°6'10.538'' N, 19°54'8.04'' E), with a disease incidence of 10-20%. Thereafter, Xap was detected in 2020 on apricot (Prunus armeniaca L., cvs. NS4, NS Rodna and Roxana) leaves and fruits in a 5-year-old orchard located in Bešenovo (GPS: 45°04'59.0'' N, 19°41'23.0'' E), with disease incidence of 30-50%. Symptoms on leaves appeared along leaf midribs or margins in form of brown to black spots, with a pale green to yellow halo, evident on both leaf surfaces. The diseased area on leaves dropped out giving a shot-hole appearance, leaves turn yellow and drop prematurely. Bacterial spots of apricot fruits appeared in form of water-soaked or dark brown sunken lesions. Primarly detection of Xap in collected samples was obtained using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Xap - specific primers XapY17-F/XapY17-R, after amplifying target fragments of 943-bp (1). Xap reference strain NCPPB 3156 served as positive control. Isolations performed on yeast extract-dextrose-calcium carbonate agar (YDC) resulted in pale yellow, circular, raised and mucoid colonies after 3 days at 26 °C. A total of 20 representative isolates were aerobic, gram negative, catalase positive, oxidase and arginine dihydrolase negative; they induced hypersensitivity reaction, reduced nitrates, hydrolyzed aesculin and gelatine, but not starch, produced H2S, not produced indole (2). NCBI BLASTn search of the ftsX (ABC transporter ATP-binding protein) sequences (1) indicated 100% identity of Serbian isolates with Xap strains XAP HU2 (P. persica, Acc. no. MG049921) and XAP HU1 (P. armeniaca, Acc. no. KY039173) from Hungary. The nucleotide sequences of one isolate from peach (Xp219) and one from apricot (Xp320) were deposited in GenBank under Acc. nos. MT890969 and MT890970, respectively. Pathogenicity was performed on detached peach and apricot leaves for all 20 isolates and on leaves and shoots of potted 1-year-old plants of peach (cv. Vineyard peach) and apricot (cv. NS Rodna) for three isolates from each host (3, 4). Sterile distilled water and reference strain NCPPB 3156 were used as negative and positive controls. On detached leaves all isolates caused typical water-soaked spots 3 days after inoculation (DAI), while 10 DAI spots became brown and necrotic. Same symptoms were appeared on the leaves of potted plants. On peach and apricot shoots water-soaked, slightly reddish lesions emerged on inoculation sites 7-10 DAI, while 20 DAI lesions become dark, circular to elliptical 3.5-4 and 2.5-3 cm in size for peach and apricot, respectively. Negative controls were symptomless. Reisolated bacteria were confirmed to be the same as the original using PCR (1), fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of Xap in Serbia, which has occurred with a limited distribution in the Fruška Gora region (Vojvodina). Only two orchards in Serbia have been deteched with Xap so far. In the diseased peach orchard Xap was eradicated by uprooting trees. The apricot orchard is still under official control to limit disease spread. Appropriate cultivation practices, national inspection and surveillance is in place to prevent further pathogen spread and establishment to new hosts and regions in Serbia.

Mersin ili erkenci kayısı bahçelerinde Şeftali güvesi, Anarsia lineatella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)’nin popülasyon yoğunluğu ve bulaşıklık oranının belirlenmesi

Aims: Peach twig borer (PTB), Anarsia lineatella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the important pests of apricot in Turkey. The study was conducted in 2013-2014 to determine the population density and infestation rates of PTB on early apricot orchards in Anamur district of Mersin province in Turkey.Methods and Results: The study was conducted in five early apricot orchards of the villages Kalınören (Trintina), Ören (Trintina), Cerenler I (Nimfa), Cerenler II (Trintina) and İskele (Trintina) of Anamur district. The peach twig borer of pheromone (E-5 Decenyl acetate 5,0 mg/capsul E5 Decenol 1,0 mg/capsul) was used in Econex polillero trap + DDVP impregnated tablet. Each of sampled orchard contained one pheromone trap. The traps were hanged at South-East direction of the trees about 1.5-2 m above ground, checked weekly and the caught adults were counted and cleaned.. Randomly chosen 20 trees’ twigs (20/tree) and fruits (50/tree) were checked, apart from the trap hanging trees, in order to determine the infestation rates. After two years of the study, the population density of pest varied between each sampling year. In the first year, a total of 46 PTB adults were caught by five pheromone traps at five early apricot orchards. The first adults were caught on 14 April, and the highest number of catches was on 12 May. The highest number of PTB adults was in May with 67.4%, followed by April with 32.6%. In the second year, a total of 66 PTB adults were caught by five pheromone traps at five early apricot orchards. The first adults were caught on 13 April, and the highest number of catches was on 11 May. The highest number of PTB adults was in May with 68.2%, followed by in April with 31.8%. It was observed that PTB had one generation and the pest did not cause any significant infestation on early apricot varieties.Conclusions: The highest number of the PTB adults were caught by pheromone traps in May, following in April in both years. The pest had one genaration and not cause any significant infestation on early apricot varieties.Significance and Impact of the Study: The pests were recoved by pheromone traps at all early apricot orchards and the highest number of adults caught in May, following in April. The pest had one genaration and not cause any significant infestation on early apricot varieties.