Effect of calcium and nitrogen fertilization on bacterial canker susceptibility in stone fruits

Abstract

Original article Fruits, vol. 68 (3) Effect of calcium and nitrogen fertilization on bacterial canker susceptibility in stone fruits. Abstract -Introduction. Bacterial canker, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, is a destructive disease where stone fruit trees are cultivated. The efficacy of nitrogen and calcium fertilization on bacterial canker susceptibility was evaluated in stone fruits. Materials and methods. Field experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of foliar applications of calcium nitrate, and ground fertilization with CAN-17 plus low-biuret urea foliar spray on bacterial susceptibility in 'Riegel' peach, 'French' prune and 'Nonpareil' almond growing in ring nematode-infested and nematicide-fumigated soils. Host susceptibility was evaluated by measuring the length of lesions developed following inoculation with P. syringae pv. syringae. Results and discussion. Foliar applications of Ca(NO 3 ) 2 significantly increased leaf nitrogen and bark calcium concentrations in peach trees growing in both fumigated and nonfumigated areas. Peach trees growing in nonfumigated areas developed significantly longer lesions than trees growing in fumigated areas. However, Ca(NO 3 ) 2 foliar applications had no effect in decreasing peach susceptibility to bacterial infection in both nonfumigated and fumigated areas. After inoculation, diseased prune trees developed significantly longer lesions than healthy trees. Leaf and bark calcium concentrations of diseased prune were significantly increased after Ca(NO 3 ) 2 foliar sprays, but again the treatments did not significantly affect prune susceptibility to bacterial infection. However, nitrogen fertilization with CAN-17 and urea significantly increased the bark nitrogen concentration of almond trees, and these trees had significantly smaller lesions than those not receiving nitrogen fertilization. Foliar application of calcium (Nutri-Cal) did not affect almond susceptibility to bacterial canker. Collectively, these data support the previous hypothesis that increased susceptibility of stone fruits to P. syringae pv. syringae under nematode infestation conditions is mediated by both nitrogen effects and nitrogenindependent effects, and application of ammonium nitrogen may have some beneficial effects in reducing stone fruit susceptibility to bacterial canker where ring nematode infestation prevails. USA / Prunus persica / Prunus avium / Prunus domestica / plant diseases / Pseudomonas syringae / plant nematodes / Mesocriconema xenoplax / cultivation Effet de la fertilisation calcique et azotée sur la sensibilité au chancre bactérien des arbres fruitiers à noyau.Résumé -Introduction. Le chancre bactérien, causé par Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, est une maladie destructrice dans les zones où les fruitiers à noyau sont cultivés. L'efficacité de la fertilisation calcique et azotée sur la sensibilité au chancre bactérien a été évaluée pour ces arbres. Matériel et méthodes. Des expériences de terrain ont été réalisées pour étudier l'efficacité d'applications...

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on the incidence of olive fruit fly, olive leaf spot and olive anthracnose in two olive cultivars grown in rainfed conditions

“…It has long been recognized that the nutritional status of a plant can play a role in its susceptibility to pathogenic fungi. Studies have shown how nitrogen fertilization may aggravate the incidence of some diseases (Heier et al, 2005;Santos et al, 2009;Hemissi et al, 2018), but the incidence of other diseases seems to be mitigated by good plant nutritional status (Lecompte et al, 2010;Cao et al, 2013;Krnjaja et al, 2015;Zimerman-Lax et al, 2016). In this study it was not possible to establish a relationship between olive anthracnose and nitrogen rates in any of the cultivars.…”

“…David et al (2003) stated that nitrogen fertilization could help reduce powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) incidence in Hiemalis begonia in the greenhouse. Cao et al (2013) reported a decreased host susceptibility to bacterial cancer (Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae) in stone fruit species, such as peach (Prunus persica), prune (Prunus domestica) and almond (Prunus dulcis).…”

Liebig review: The role of mineral nutrients in the development of Pseudomonas syringae diseases—Lessons learned and implications for disease control in woody plants

“…Similarly, Ca and Mg contents in plant tissue were negatively correlated with disease severity in French peach plantations (Vigouroux & Bussi, 1989). However, Cao et al (2011Cao et al ( , 2013 Even though sulfur (S) is known as a nutrient with high relevance for stress defense (Capaldi, 2015;Rausch & Wachter, 2005), little attention has been paid so far on S supply in the context of Ps infection.…”

“…Many studies of Ps diseases on woody species put a spotlight on other stress factors, for example, ring nematodes, acid soils, and drought (Cao et al, 2005(Cao et al, , 2013Mauri et al, 2016;Melakeberhan et al, 2000;Nyczepir et al, 2012;Vigouroux et al, 1987;Wehunt & Weaver, 1982). These factors, and thus their impact on Ps diseases, are often interlinked with nutrient supply.…”

“…In several studies, the importance of plant nutritional status for the severity of Ps diseases has been documented (Cao et al, 2005(Cao et al, , 2011(Cao et al, , 2013Mauri et al, 2016;Vigouroux & Bussi, 1989). Recommendations of fertilization regimes to enhance resistance based on research results is an appealing target.…”