Studies on the spread of the olive scab pathogen,Spilocaea oleagina1

Investigations were carried out to study the occurrence and effectiveness of wind dispersal of conidia of the olive spot pathogen Spilocaea oleagina. Dissemination in absence of rain was confirmed both by collecting conidia at various distances from an inoculum source and by using trap plants. The dispersal gradient of conidia was very steep: 3–10% of leaves of olive seedlings placed 20 m from diseased trees became infected.