Outlook of Verticillium Wilt Diseases of Apricot: Biology, Epidemiology, and Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69565/mls.v4i1.459Keywords:
Apricot, Verticillium wilt, Rootstocks, Integrated Disease Management (IDM)Abstract
Verticillium Wilt Is one of the most important vascular diseases of apricot. The primary cause of the disease is a soil-borne fungus, Verticillium dahliae, which can persist in soil for many years as resistant structures called microsclerotia. The pathogen enters plant roots, infects the vascular tissues, and impairs water movement, leading to wilt, chlorosis, defoliation, branch dieback, and tree decline. Highly susceptible hosts include apricot, almond, peach, and cherry, which can lead to significant economic losses in orchards. Disease development and severity are greatly affected by environmental conditions, soil type, intercultural practices, root damage, and the presence of susceptible plants. Management is challenging, as the fungus can spread through infected planting material, irrigation water, soil movement, and contaminated tools. Chemical control is ineffective because of the pathogen's persistence in xylem tissue and soil; integrated disease management strategies are needed. Management practices are important, including disease-free nursery stock, resistant/tolerant rootstocks, soil solarization, sanitation, crop rotation, irrigation management, and avoiding susceptible intercrops. Inoculum level and disease incidence are also lowered through pre-plant soil disinfection and cultural practices. Biological control agents and improved soil health management methods are becoming viable options for long-term control of the pathogen. This review focuses on apricot Verticillium wilt disease and integrated management strategies, including resistant cultivars, for effective control, and summarizes the biology, epidemiology, symptomatology, and disease cycle.
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