Apple scab problem.

[Breton monkey]

hi everyone

i have a client with a a small, young cidre apple orchard (around 200 trees) who has a problem with apple scab. he would like to know whats the best or most practical way of getting rid of it on this scale, as he thinks its affecting fruit yealds.

 

any advice greatfully received.

 

cheers

[Peasgood]

Spray the trees with urea or ammonium nitrate just before leaf fall to help rot the fallen leaves.

Clear or thoroughly mulch the fallen leaves to remove overwintering spores.

Spray the trees regularly through the growing season with scab control chemicals.

Not really experienced with cider yields but for the returns it may well not be economical to spray through the season.

Good general orchard hygiene will help but the spores will blow in on the wind anyway.

 

I have 25 acres of apples and only saw one apple with scab last year. (which probably means we are spending way too much on chemicals)