Phytoparasitica (2001) 29, 273-274

D. Oppenheim, D. Shtienberg, M. Peres, Z. Herzog, Miriam Zilberstaine and G. Kritzman (2001)
Prevalence and intensity of fire blight of pears in Israel: Results of a survey conducted in 1996-2000
Phytoparasitica 29 (3), 273-274
22nd Congress of the Israeli Phytopathological Society, February 12-13, 2001, Bet Dagan, Israel, lecture
Abstract: The pear production area in Israel is 1500 ha, most of which (ca 1200 ha) is located in the northern part of the country. Fire blight (caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora) was first observed in Israel in that region, in 1985, and the disease has prevailed there ever since. In a comprehensive survey conducted in 1996-2000, data were collected and observations were made yearly in one-third to one-half of the pear production area in Israel. The purpose of the survey was to document the prevalence and intensity of fire blight in commercial orchards and to use the data to evaluate the efficacy of management measures employed for its suppression. Region-wise, a severe fire blight epidemic developed in 1996 and 2000, moderate epidemics developed in 1998 and 1999, and a mild epidemic developed in 1997. The intensity of fire blight in the preceding season in a specific orchard was more influential on current season severity in a season with a mild epidemic than in a season with a moderate epidemic. Analysis of disease onset records and weather data revealed that a few (1-3) infection episodes occurred in individual orchards each year. The efficacy of bactericide sprays applied during bloom was not related to the number of sprays applied but to the timing of spraying. Adequate control was achieved in orchard plots sprayed soon before or after the occurrence of infection episodes. The proportion of orchards where sprays were not timed properly was 41% in 1998, 32% in 1999 and 35% in 2000. The proportion of orchards where sprays were applied on time and in which the disease was suppressed adequately was 11% in 1998, 34% in 1999 and 72% in 2000.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Dani Shtienberg

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Erwinia amylovora	Pear (Pyrus)	Israel