Abstract

Nodal lesions typical of natural infections were produced on young canes when wounded petioles were inoculated with mycelium. The buds which developed in the axils of these inoculated petioles were smaller and less likely to produce lateral shoots than those in the axils of delaminated or undamaged petioles, but only when the petioles were inoculated in the field before the end of July. This effect was more pronounced in the cultivar Malling Jewel than in Glen Cova, which suggests that the latter is more tolerant of D. applanata. Sprays to control the pathogen in the cropping region of canes will probably be effective in Scotland only if applied before the end of July.