| Abstract: | Understanding the disease cycle of fireblight requires knowledge of the sources of inoculum and means of dissemination. In regions where the disease is endemic, hold–over cankers are the most important source of primary inoculum. Dissemination of primary inoculum occurs by rain or by crawling or flying insects. Often, blossoms infested with Erwinia atnylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. provide secondary inoculum that is disseminated by pollinating insects or by rain. Later in the growing season, secondary inoculum produced in infected tissues may be disseminated by rain or by sucking and biting insects. Relatively rare sources of inoculum and inefficient means of dissemination may be responsible for introducing the pathogen to areas where fireblight has not been found previously. E. amylovora may be carried to new locations in intimate association with host tissues (infected nursery stock), in association with vectors (insects, birds or man), or by wind as “strands” or in airborne water drops. Every effort should be made to prevent introduction of E. amylovora into areas now thought to be free of fireblight. Attempts to eradicate the disease from several new areas in northern Europe have been unsuccessful. Because weather conditions and the host plants present in southern Europe are especially conducive to severe damage from fireblight, plant protection personnel are advised to prepare now for the possible introduction of disease. Personnel should be trained to recognize the disease and plans should be drawn to contain it or to manage host plants to minimize disease losses. |
