Characterisation of main pests on plum tree

Characterisation of main pests on plum tree

Description: This protocol presents a visual, non destructive quantification method based on abundance classes for quick monitoring of diseases (brown rot, powdery mildew, shot-hole of plum, red rust of stone fruit) and animal pests (plum fruit moth, aphids, plum sawfly, thrips, tortrix moths, scales, mites) on plum tree, at the field scale.

Use: The protocol is currently used by technical advisers in the Tuscany region in Italy. The data collected on several farm is aimed at editing weekly phytosanitary and phenological reports for farmers.

Authors: Massimo Ricciolini, coordinator of the AgroAmbiente project, with the support of scientific advisors from the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna.