Integrated disease management in tree nut cultivation

Publication date: 28/07/2019
Extent: 12 pages

Contributions by: Andrea Vannini and Carmen Morales-Rodríguez, Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF) – University of Tuscia, Italy

Chapter synopsis: Integrated disease management and use of protocols and products that minimize the environmental impact are paramount needs in the cultivation of tree nuts. In this chapter, such approaches are proposed for chestnut cultivation and, specifically, for the management and mitigation of damage caused by one of the most threatening diseases affecting chestnuts worldwide – ink disease caused by Phytophthora spp. The chapter starts by introducing the concept of area-wide integrated ink disease management, followed by sections on monitoring and GIS mapping of the disease, and landscape features of the disease – Phytophthora being easily dispersed via water and infected soil. Also covered are tree and soil treatments used to treat the disease, and a review of the varieties resistant to the disease (breeding of interspecific hybrids has led to resistant rootstocks). The chapter concludes with a discussion on the importance of quality and certification of material for propagation.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2018.0042.25