Diseases of Apple (Malus domestica) and Their Management

Apple (Malus domestica) is the most important remunerative temperate fruit crop grown in the North Western Himalayan region of India. Apple orchards in India are under constant threat from a large number of fungal and viral pathogens. Appropriate and timely deployment of disease management depends on early disease detection. The most common diseases of apples are apple scab, powdery mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, Marsonina leaf spot, cankers, root rot, collar rot and mosaic. Depending on the incidence and severity of infection by diseases impacts range from unappealing cosmetic appearance low marketability, and poor quality of fruit, to decreased yield or complete loss of fruit or trees, causing huge economic losses. Early pest and disease detection are critical for appropriate and timely deployment of disease and pest management programs. Modern high-density apple orchards, which are usually made up of highly susceptible cultivars, are particularly vulnerable to the rapid spread of pathogens, potentially killing the entire orchard. Here we review some important diseases of apple and their management.