Susceptibility of several Japanese plum cultivars to pests and diseases in a newly established organic orchard

The susceptibility of 14 Japanese plum cultivars to an aphid pest and three fungal diseases was analysed during 2007 and 2008 in two experimental orchards, one in organic and the other in conventional management. There was a significantly higher incidence of green peach aphids Myzus persicae (Sulzer)] for most of the cultivars in the organically managed treatment. ‘Fortune’, ‘Primetime’, ‘Larry Ann’ and ‘Sapphire’ were the cultivars most affected, and ‘Souvenir’ suffered the lowest attack in both treatments. Shot hole disease (Wilsonomyces carpophilus) affected both orchards at low levels, and only two cultivars, ‘Santa Rosa’ and ‘Larry Ann’, suffered a moderate attack. Powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa) incidence was significantly higher in the conventionally managed orchard and only the ‘Red Beaut’ cultivar was affected. Rust disease (Tranzschelia spp.) incidence was significantly higher in the organic treatment. The cultivars in which the rust disease appeared earliest and reached the highest levels were ‘Showtime’, ‘Santa Rosa’, ‘Friar’, and ‘Larry Ann’. An intense rust infestation in leaves provoked a premature defoliation in the organic plot, indicating that proper control of this disease is important to maintain tree vigour and yield.