USE OF AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL IN THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH-QUALITY APPLE PLANTING MATERIAL

The research conducted in the nursery fields focused on the development and implementation of an integrated system for the propagation of fruit tree planting material, through the combined use of genetic control methods by promoting apple cultivars resistant to major diseases-and biotechnical means, including pest monitoring, risk assessment, and the application of biologically effective control products with minimal environmental impact. To ensure an appropriate phytosanitary status for disease-resistant apple cultivars in the nursery fields, the integrated system recommended the application of the following biological treatments: for apple scab, three fungicide treatments based on copper compounds (Bordeaux mixture at 0.5% concentration; Champ 77 WG at 0.2%; Kocide 2000 at 0.3%), due to the emergence of new scab races overcoming the Vf gene resistance, combined with sulfur-based fungicides (Kumulus DF at 0.3%, Thiovit Jet 80 WG at 5-8 kg/ha), applied before and after flowering, and as a final treatment. For powdery mildew control, targeted treatments were also administered in the same critical growth stages. Pest management involved 7–8 applications at forecasted warning times using biological products such as MadexTop (0.001% conc.), Bactospeine DF (0.07% conc.), and Laser 240 SC (0.06% conc.). The integrated disease and pest management system developed for the production of high-quality apple planting material from the “Certified” category also entails the rehabilitation of fruit tree nurseries. These nurseries must supply planting material for establishing orchards intended for organic fruit production, increasingly demanded by consumers, with a positive effect on environmental protection.