Apple Scab
Venturia inaequalis
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameApple Scab
DescriptionApple scab creates velvety brown spots and corky scars on fruit and leaves. Identify early olive-green lesions to prevent premature leaf drop and fruit loss.
TypeFungus
FamilyVenturiaceae
GenusVenturia
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumAscomycota
SubphylumPezizomycotina
ClassDothideomycetes
OrderPleosporales
Features
- Caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, which specifically targets apples and crabapples. It is the most significant disease for commercial apple growers worldwide
- First appears in spring as olive-green to dull brown spots on the undersides of leaves. As the spots age, they become darker and develop a velvety, fuzzy texture
- Infected leaves often become distorted, twisted, and eventually turn yellow before falling off the tree prematurely during early summer
- On fruit, symptoms start as small, light brown circular spots. These expand into large, dark, corky scabs that may crack as the fruit grows
- The fungus overwinters in fallen leaf litter. In spring, it releases spores that are carried by wind to new growth during wet periods
- Young, developing fruit is highly susceptible. Infection can cause fruit to become misshapen or drop from the tree before reaching maturity
- Thrives in cool, wet weather. Spores require several hours of leaf wetness to germinate and infect the plant tissue
- Different apple varieties show varying levels of susceptibility. Ornamental crabapples can also be severely affected, losing all foliage by mid-summer
- Prevent by planting resistant varieties like 'Liberty' or 'Freedom'. Rake and destroy all fallen leaves and fruit in autumn to reduce the spore count
- Apply sulfur or copper-based fungicides early in the spring as buds begin to open. Ensure the tree canopy is pruned for maximum air circulation and sun reach
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificVenturia inaequalis
English (Alternate)Black spot of apple
Hindiसेब का पामा (Seb ka paama)
Tamilஆப்பிள் ஸ்கேப் (Apple scab)
Teluguఆపిల్ స్కాబ్ (Apple scab)
Malayalamആപ്പിൾ സ്കാബ് (Apple scab)
Kannadaಸೇಬು ಗಾಯ ರೋಗ (Sēbu gāya rōga)
Sanskritसेब-कण्डू (Seba-kaṇḍū)
Bengaliআপেল স্ক্যাব (Apple scab)
Frenchtavelure du pommier
Russianпарша яблони (parsha yabloni)
Spanishmoteado del manzano
GermanApfelschorf
