Integration of Chitosan and Biopesticides to Suppress Pre-Harvest Diseases of Apple

The natural product chitosan has been shown to reduce plant disease severity and enhance the efficacy of microbial biocontrol agents in several crops. However, little is known about potential synergisms between biopesticides best use practices apple production. objectives this study were evaluate effect pre-harvest applications alone combination with a commercial biopesticide suppress fungal diseases investigate for quantity overwintering Venturia inaequalis spores orchard leaf litter. Chitosan products, Tidal Grow ARMOUR-Zen 15, biopesticide, Serenade ASO, tested research Pennsylvania orchards New Hampshire. reduced scab incidence by up 55% on fruit compared water control. also sooty blotch, flyspeck, rust fruit. Furthermore, + treatment overlayed onto grower standard spray program more effectively than alone. was dependent cultivar pathogen. did not V. ascospores. This provides evidence that have management