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Apple scab

Apple scab occurs mainly in moist places and areas with a lot of rain.

The same fungus species causes pear scab (Venturia pirina) .

recognize apple scab on apples
Apple scab on Elstar, photo: PlantEnPlagen
recognize apple scab on leafs (apple)
Leaf affected by apple scab, photo: James Lindsey - CC BY-SA 3.0

Apple scab(Venturia inaequalis) . This fungus mainly occurs in damp places and in areas with a lot of rain, so the leaves stay wet for a long time. The fungal spores then have sufficient moisture to germinate. Light green, matt spots appear on the leaf, discolouring to brown or black, after which the leaf falls off. Scab spots appear on the apples: dark corky spots with cracks. Spots can also appear on young branches. As the young bark of the branches becomes rough, other fungi and germs can get in.
Also firethorns and rowan trees are susceptible to apple scab. Olive green, gray spots appear on the leaves on both sides of the leaf. Rough spots appear on the branches. Firethorn and rowan can be affected by apple scab: dark spots appear on the berries.

Affected plants

Control

Once the scab spots have appeared, there is little that can be done. The apples (and pears) are not affected, they just don’t look as nice anymore, but are fine to eat.
Remove affected branches.

Prevention

In professional fruit cultivation, exactly how long the leaves remain wet and the temperature are monitored. The combination of both is decisive for the development of scabies.
Cleaning up the fallen leaves in the fall prevents contamination; the fungus overwinters in the leaf. Make sure the wind has free play in the tree.