Moteado
Mottled
Venturia inaequalis
Pathogen:
Fungus
Type:
Risk to the plant:
CRITICAL
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Venturia inaequalis is an ascomycete fungus responsible for one of the most important diseases in fruit trees in temperate climates. It overwinters in the form of pseudothecia, sexual fruiting structures, in fallen leaves and pruning remains present on the ground. With the arrival of spring, humidity and mild temperatures favor the maturation of the asci, which release ascospores into the environment. These ascospores are transported by the wind to the young parts of the plants, where they germinate on moist tissues, penetrating mainly through the cuticle. Once the infection is established, the fungus develops subcuticular mycelium and forms conidia that will be dispersed again by splashes of rain or dew, generating new secondary infections throughout the season. This pattern of primary and secondary infection allows the fungus to multiply rapidly during the wet months, especially if environmental conditions remain favorable.
SYMPTOMS
The mottling caused by Venturia inaequalis affects plants, particularly apple trees, and manifests itself on leaves, fruits and young shoots. The disease reduces the commercial quality of the fruit and can cause premature defoliation, negatively affecting the development of the plant and the production of the following year.
- Appearance of circular spots, olive green to black in color, with a velvety texture on young leaves
- Deformation and premature fall of the affected leaves
- Similar lesions on fruits, which then become corky and cracked
- Dark spots on petioles, young stems and flower calyxes
- Reduction in fruit size and commercially unattractive appearance
- Fruits with less resistance to transport and storage
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
12 °C – 24 °C
85 % – 100 %
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Ascospores from wind, Conidia from rain splashes, Infected fallen leaves, Contaminated pruning tools, Infected fruit or plant material
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• CAPTAN 47.5% [SC] P/V
• CIPRODINIL 37.5% + FLUDIOXONIL 25% [WG] P/P
• DIFENOCONAZOLE 1.67% [EC] P/V
• POTASSIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE 0.425% [AL] P/V
• POTASSIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE 85% [SP] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 25% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• LAMINARIN 4.5% [SL] P/S
• METIRAM 70% [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) + CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 30% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 38% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 52% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPROUS OXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• SULFATE CUPROCALCIC 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• TETRACONAZOLE 10% [EC] P/V
• TETRACONAZOLE 12.5% [ME] P/V
• TETRACONAZOLE 4% [ME] P/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• POTASSIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE 0.425% [AL] P/V
• POTASSIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE 85% [SP] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 25% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• LAMINARIN 4.5% [SL] P/S
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) + CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 30% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 38% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 52% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPROUS OXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Effective against all types of fungi
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
Sponsored link
- Remove and destroy fallen leaves and infected pruning debris during the winter to reduce primary sources of inoculum.
- Properly prune trees to improve ventilation and reduce the wetting time of the foliage.
- Avoid excessive sprinkler irrigation in critical times, especially during sprouting and initial fruit development.
- Apply preventive treatments with specific fungicides before spring rains, prioritizing systemic products in critical stages.
- Alternate active ingredients with different modes of action to avoid the appearance of resistance.
- Use mottle-resistant varieties when available.
- Implement climate monitoring systems that warn of risk conditions to initiate timely applications.
- Establish a treatment schedule based on the Mills model or similar, to adjust the frequency according to local conditions.
Recommendations
Enjoy idMicrobe TOTALLY FREE, with no trial periods.
