Articles
FUNGI AND APRICOT CULTURES IN SLOVAKIA (CZECHOSLOVAKIA) AT PRESENT
It was ascertained, that the large-scale production orchards of apricot trees may exist more than 20 years, even under given situations of so-called premature dieback (apolexy) with 5% losses annually.
By supplemental irrigation, some orchards outlast 20 years till the 50% persistence of originally planted trees.
In the older orchards there are characteristic nest-like losses of cultures where the young cultures are usually not prosperous.
The most harmful are the fungi Cytospora sp. and Monilia sp.
In some localities more frequently Schizophyllum sp., Gnomonia sp., and Verticillium sp. also occur.
By inoculation with Monilia fructigena Pers. isolates (by so-called circle method) a characteristic wilting (apoplexy) of apricot cultures in the field was induced experimentally.
Both Monilia sp. and Cytospora sp. fungi are very sensitive to the preparations with benomyl and during a vegetative period these substances may be used for protection of apricot culture.
For winter sprays nitropreparations (Nitrozan, Arborol, etc) appear to be advantageous.
The most effective measures for apricot culture protection henceforth continue to be sufficient hygiene of orchards, elimination of infection foci, burning of dry branches and mummified fruits, and supplemental irrigation of cultures.