Epidemiology of Monilinia laxa, the causal agent of blossom blight in almond orchards within the Ebro Valley.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Almond blossom blight, caused by Monilinia spp., is a notable fungal disease associated with intensified crop management practices. In this study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology of Monilinia spp. on almonds in two orchards in the Ebro Valley, with a focus on (i) primary inoculum sources through sampling of affected mummified fruiting structures from trees and the ground before blooming; (ii) secondary inoculum sources postblooming; and (iii) disease dynamics throughout the season in relation to meteorological data.

Results

Monilinia laxa was the primary species affecting almonds in the Ebro Valley. Furthermore, early-stage mummified fruiting structures frequently adhered to branches (3.8 log conidia/mummified fruiting structure), whereas late-stage mummi

SUBMITTER: Casals C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12713698 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature