ISHS Acta Horticulturae 734: VIII International Symposium on Plum and Prune Genetics, Breeding and Pomology
DECLINE OF STONE FRUIT TREES IN SWITZERLAND |
| Authors: | E. Bosshard, W. Heller, J. Ladner, J. Rüegg, T. Schwizer, A. Widmer |
| Keywords: | soil, rootstocks, pathogens, remediation |
| Abstract:
For some years now, decline of plum, cherry and apricot trees, especially in newly planted orchards, has been observed in Switzerland. This may be caused by different factors. Based on observations in affected orchards and on evaluation from field and laboratory trials, it is concluded that new combinations of dwarfing rootstocks with high-yielding cultivars may be more susceptible to stress. In addition, they show particular needs regarding soil and climatic conditions and agricultural techniques. Soil and climatic conditions (high precipitation and alkaline soil) in most of the stone fruit producing areas in Switzerland favour pathogens such as Thielaviopsis basicola (black root rot), Phytophthora spp. (root, collar and crown rot) and Pseudomonas syringae (bacterial canker). In 2002, several on-farm-experiments were started focusing on remediation of soils in already planted orchards and on improvement of soil preparation for new plantations. The techniques applied were ridge culture, addition of ripe compost of different composition and addition of chitin-based fertilizers. | |
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