Protectant sprays combined with cultural control are the main means of control in the UK.
- In dessert and culinary orchards, the following season or following two seasons after detection apply a spray of boscalid + pyraclostrobin (Bellis) or cyprodinil + fludioxonil (Switch) at first flower and repeat 7-10 days later.
- In cider orchards where the disease is present, or on very susceptible varieties (e.g. Somerset Redstreak) apply a spray of boscalid + pyraclostrobin (Bellis) or cyprodinil + fludioxonil (Switch) at first flower and repeat 7-10 days later.
- Where the disease is present at high incidence a four spray programme, using different fungicide products, may be needed, starting at pink bud.
- Spray cover is important. Sprays must be applied at >150 l/ha to be effective. Trials show that sprays applied at 50 l/ha were ineffective.
- Usually where the disease occurs at low incidence in dessert and culinary orchards, protectant sprays applied the following season after detection give adequate control.
- A further season’s sprays may be necessary where the disease incidence is high. In cider orchards routine sprays may be necessary.
Avoiding fungicide resistance
- The risk of resistance is low as a range of fungicide products are used and intensive spray programmes are not used.