Monitoring of Phlyctema vagabunda in apple orchards with LAMP technology aimed at rationalizing pre-harvest chemical treatments

Abstract: Bull’s eye rot (BER) represents a serious threat to apple storability in northern Italy,
especially on cultivars high susceptible to this disease, such as the Cripps® group. The disease is caused by fungal species currently assigned to the genera Neofabraea and Phlyctema, and in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy the predominant species is Phlyctema vagabunda (syn. Neofabraea vagabunda, N. alba, Pezicula alba and Gloeosporium album). Control of BER is based on various practices, including the application of fungicides. The identification of the appropriate timing of fungicide applications is hindered by the possibility of carrying out an adequate monitoring of fungal propagules as well as by the lack of symptomatic plant organs (leaves, branches, etc.). As part of the MITO project (Innovative Models and Technologies for the quality and safety of fruit and vegetable – Horizon 2020), an attempt was made to monitor the fungal propagules of P. vagabunda through the potential offered by the LAMP Technology (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification).