Potential of propane flamers for reduction of apple scab primary inoculum on orchard ground

Abstract

The potential impact of propane flamers on the development and release of ascosporic inoculum of Venturia inaequalis (Cke.)Wint. from infected dead apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves that overwintered on the soil of an experimental orchard was assessed. Thermal reduction of scab primary inoculum was first conducted under controlled conditions using an indoor testing facility. At the time of ascospore maturation, heavily infected leaves were submitted to temperature rises ranging from 150 to 200 °C with open-flame burners, thus reducing the number of ascospores subsequently released by 76% and 87%, respectively. During Spring 1995, thermal treatments of overwintered dead leaves were performed directly on the ground of an apple orchard with an experimental propane flamer design to generate uniform heat at ground level. Four thermal treatment strategies, involving two dates of flaming and two heat intensities, were tested. Flaming orchard ground, when performed in early May, before significant development of ground cover, reduced the number of ascopores released from infected dead leaves by half. A significant residual effect of the treatments on ascospore ejection was still observed 2 and 4 weeks after the treatments, thus indicating that ascospore maturation inside the leaves may be reduced by heat treatment. These results indicate potential for propane flamers to reduce apple scab primary inoculum in orchards.