Abstract

Summary. Twenty apple cultivars were assessed over 3 seasons for their susceptibility to natural infection with scab (caused by Venturia inaequalis) and powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera leucotricha). It was evident that a number of important commercial cultivars are highly susceptible to leaf scab (average incidence of leaf scab: Pink Lady, 40.2% of leaves; Lady William, 37.1%; Braeburn, 20.0%; and New Jonagold, 18.7%) and powdery mildew (average incidence of leaf mildew: New Jonagold, 23.0%; Pink Lady, 17.8%). There was a high level of resistance to leaf scab in the cultivars Florina-Quérina, Redfree and Jonafree (all less than 1% incidence on leaves) and to powdery mildew in the cultivar Earlidel (no infection observed). The cultivars Jonathan, Bonza and Red Elstar showed a useful level of resistance to scab (average incidence of leaf scab between 1.6 and 3.2%), while the cultivars Red Fuji, HiEarly and Redfree all showed some resistance to powdery mildew (average incidence of mildew between 2.6 and 5.9%). Observations made on the low and variable numbers of fruit produced by some trees in their third year after planting showed that Pink Lady and Lady William were highly susceptible to fruit scab (67.6 or 57.6% scabbed fruit respectively). Twig infection by scab was also observed on shoots of the current season’s growth of Pink Lady.