| Abstract: | Wilt of almond due to Verticillium dahliae, also known as‘black heart', is an occasionally serious disease problem in orchards in California (US). Verticillium wilt is most severe on trees 2–6-year-old, and symptoms lessen as trees mature. Usually only a few trees in a young orchard are affected, though sometimes many young trees die. Severe economic losses of 9000-11 000 USD per ha resulting from verticillium wilt in almond orchards have been recorded. Foliar symptoms may be difficult to discern after trees are 5–6-year-old. Unlike previous reports of new infections arising each year, recent research indicates that infections may perennate in vascular tissue of primary scaffolds and trunks. Some differences in tree damage are apparent among scion cultivars. Pre-plant fumigation with methyl bromide and/or chloropicrin is not reliably effective for prevention of verticillium wilt. Solarization has been effective when applied prior to or at planting. Post-plant therapeutic treatments are not consistently effective. |
