Lebbra dell’olivo: epidemiologia e possibili strategie di protezione

The severe outbreaks of olive anthracnose observed in Apulia during the last years, caused by the occurrence of climatic conditions conducive to the disease, the reduction of cultural interventions, and the new features about the aetiology and the disease cycle, have been investigated, focusing on some epidemiological and control aspects. In particular, data on the inoculum density of Colletotrichum spp. and the incidence of latent infection on drupes have been collected. In addition, field trials on the efficacy of new QoI-based fungicides applied at different timing (new shoot growth, pre-blooming, fruit set, veraison) have been conducted. Results indicated a good efficacy of pyraclostrobin, alone or in tank mixture with copper, and of the mixture trifloxystrobin+tebuconazole in reducing the disease. Moreover, the same fungicides significantly reduced the inoculum density of Colletotrichum spp. on fruit surface and the incidence of latent infections, as compared to the traditional copper applications.