Apple scab and other crop diseases require preventive management, studies show

Harvested mainly between the months of February and May, Brazilian apples recorded production of 1,276 million tons in the last harvest (2021-22), according to ABPM – Brazilian Association of Apple Producers. With the production chain concentrated in the three states in the south of the country, the crop occupied more than 32 thousand hectares in the previous cycle and generated business worth around R$5 billion.

One of the main diseases of apples, apple scab was the subject of an in-depth study, carried out throughout the 2021-22 harvest by the consulting firm Fito Desenvolvimento e Produção, from São Joaquim (SC), together with Sipcam Nichino Brazil. The research evaluated the performance of the preventive and contact-eradicative fungicide Dodex 450 SC, in controlling the pathogen Venturia inadequalis, which causes apple scab.

“Treatments based on this fungicide were 99% effective in controlling apple scab on leaves, and over 95% on apple fruits. This result highlights the high effectiveness and that the molecule has no resistance problems”, summarizes José de Freitas, agronomist in the market development area at Sipcam Nichino. According to the agronomist, the company's recommendation is to apply Dodex 450 SC from the beginning of the crop's sprouting, until the beginning of fruit development.

“Good target coverage is essential for effective control of apple scab. Dodex 450 SC is safe, selective and can be applied even in the critical period of russeting (beginning of fruit development)”, says Freitas. The agronomist also adds that the fungicide also contributes and helps in the management of gala spot disease (Colletotrichum spp).

“Uncontrolled, apple scab causes various damages, such as falling flowers. It also reduces the vigor of the plants and leads to a loss in quality, with the immediate commercial depreciation of the fruits”, emphasizes Freitas. “Dodex 450 SC has Dodina as its active ingredient, from the guanandine chemical group, suitable for managing resistance to systemic fungicides”.

Other apple diseases

Holding a robust portfolio of solutions for agriculture, Sipcam Nichino also offers apple producers the protective fungicide Echo 720 SC. Described as a broad-spectrum solution, based on the active ingredient chlorothalonil, the product has recommendations for controlling the diseases bitter rot (Colletotrichum orbiculare) and European canker (Neonectria galligena), in addition to apple scab.

“Company studies demonstrate that Echo 720 SC is an important technology for the preventive management of foliar diseases. It even acts effectively on pathogens that have lost sensitivity to specific fungicides”, emphasizes José de Freitas.

Also included in the solutions for apple cultivation are the biostimulants Abyss, Nutex Premium and Stilo Verde, the fungicides Methyltiofan, Support and Cuprozeb, the insecticide Trebon SC and the acaricide Fujimite 50 SC.