INFECTION OF ERWINIA AMYLOVORA ON DIFFERENT APPLE VARIETIES AND THE IMPACT ON FRUITS QUALITY

Fire Blight (FB) caused by Erwinia amylovora is the most feared bacterial disease in the genus Malus and other genera belonging to Rosaceae family, causing severe losses in orchards in favourable years, unmarketable fruits quality and even completely trees dieback, especially in highly susceptible genotypes. Currently E. amylovora is of quarantine concern in many countries all over the world and continue to conquer new territories. During 2018-year, six apple genotypes ('Golden Delicious', 'Idared', 'Gala', 'Jonagold', 'Fuji' and 'Jonathan'), within an orchard located in the proximity of Craiova city, Romania, have been assessed for their response to the infection to Erwinia amylovora and the impact of the pathogen attack on fruits yield and quality. The response of apple genotypes to the Fire Blight (FB) attack ranged from moderately resistant/susceptible ('Golden Delicious' and 'Fuji') to highly susceptible ('Idared', 'Gala', 'Jonagold' and 'Jonathan') depending on genetic background and environmental conditions. Fruits chemical parameters Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Total acidity (TA), Total Sugar (TS) were significantly affected by the pathogen attack in all apple varieties.