Journal of Applied Entomology (2010) 134, 615-625

I.J. Holb, B. Fodor, P. Lakatos, F. Abonyi, B. Balla, M. Fazekas and J.M. Gáll (2010)
Effect of production system and pruning on Aphis sambuci dynamics over time and on elderberry yield
Journal of Applied Entomology 134 (8), 615-625
Abstract: In a 2-year study, elder aphid (Aphis sambuci) dynamics over time and berry yield were evaluated in two production systems (integrated and organic) and in two winter pruning treatments (trees pruned to four and eight scaffolds) in two black elderberry orchards in Hungary. In the organic production system, the first aphid colony was observed 1-2 weeks earlier (late-March) in both years and locations compared to the integrated programme. The number of aphid colonies then increased until mid-May in both years, reaching a maximum number of aphid colonies of 11.2 on 100 scaffolds in the integrated production system and of 38.9 in the organic programme. Then, the number of colonies decreased and reached a zero value at mid-June in the integrated production system and 2 weeks later (early July) in the organic one in both years and locations. First autumn aphid colonies were observed in early September in the integrated production system but 2 weeks earlier (late August) in the organic one in both years and locations. The number of aphid colonies between mid-April and mid-June indicated a larger increase on trees pruned to eight scaffolds compared to trees pruned to four scaffolds. Both the total number of aphid colonies and the area under the aphid colony curves (AUACC) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the integrated treatments compared with organic ones. Across all treatments, both measures were significantly lower (P < 0.05) on trees pruned to four scaffolds compared with trees pruned to eight scaffolds. However, when the effect of pruning on the number of aphid colonies was analysed separately for integrated and organic plots, pruning caused significant differences in aphid colony numbers and AUACC in the organic plots. Berry yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the integrated treatments compared with the organic ones, but pruning showed no significant effect on yield. Overall, pruning to four scaffolds resulted in a lower aphid colony number in the organic production system compared to the integrated one. Thus, winter pruning may be useful as an aphid control strategy in organic elderberry orchards.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Imre J. Holb

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
damage/losses/economics

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aphis sambuci	Elderberry (Sambucus)	Hungary