The causal agent of apple scab (Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Winter)

Abstract

Apple is one of the most important fruit species, very important in human nutrition, both fresh and as a raw material in the food industry. Apple scab is the most economically significant apple disease worldwide and it is the biggest problem in apple production. Knowledge of the life cycle is of key importance for disease forecasting and control. Forecasting based on the Mills table is still an irreplaceable approach in the forecasting of apple scab occurrence. Control of this pathogen relies mostly on the use of synthetic fungicides, however, a major problem is the emerging resistance of V. inaequalis to the most important fungicides. In recent decades, breeding programs have detected genes for resistance and created many resistant and tolerant varieties, which significantly facilitates apple production and protection. It is necessary to find new ways to control apple scab, especially biological agents and antagonists in order to simplify protection, reduce production costs and preserve the environment, i.e. to make apple production sustainable.