Scab Disease Caused by Venturia inaequalis on Apple Trees in Kyrgyzstan and Biological Agents to Control This Disease

Among the most economically important fruit crops in South and North Kyrgyzstan affected by scab disease are apples (Malus domestica). Natural isolates of Venturia inaequalis were isolated from diseased parts of apple trees, selected from different regions, through sedimentation of air microflora on the crowns of fruit trees. Two biocontrol agents as Trichoderma viride and Streptomyces sр. were tested for apple scab control in vitro and field conditions. Two applications of Trichoderma viride within 35 days completely stopped the scab disease in seedling leaves. Within 40 days, the seedlings were recovered; the new leaves have blossomed on branches. The Streptomyces sp. antagonists were inferior in effectiveness compared to Trichoderma viride; nevertheless, they prevented progression of the disease in the leaves. Seedlings grew new shoots and leaves around 50 days after the second treatment. Orchard experiment results provide great hope that a biological product based on Trichoderma viride could work as an effective agent to suppress the development of the pathogen in the early spring, when leaves start to show scab disease symptoms