Impact of Alternaria mali in Association with European Red Mite (Panonychus ulmi) on Alternaria Leaf Blotch and Pre-mature Leaf Fall in Apple

Inoculation of Alternaria mali in association with European red mite (Panonychus ulmi Koch.) significantly increased leaf blotch intensity, pre-mature defoliation and European red mite population build-up than their individual inoculation in apple. Among combined inoculation treatments, simultaneous inoculation of A. mali and European red mite resulted in maximum disease intensity (28%) and pre-mature defoliation (43%) as compared to inoculations in which one preceded the other. There was a significant positive correlation between leaf blotch intensity and number of mites per leaf.