Influence of latent infection by apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) on the development of young apple trees cv. Florina - preliminary research investigation

Svetla Maneva, Antoniy Stoev, Dora Krezhova

Abstract: Article presents the results of a survey of some morphological and physiological indicators of young apple trees infected with Apple Stem Grooving Virus, (ASGV). Trees were symptomless for viral infection during the period of apple orchard monitoring (2013 – 2014). Samples of young leaves collected from 23 apple trees cv. Florina were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Trees
with extinction values at least three times greater than the negative control were defned as infected. Trunk diameter of infected trees increased statistically significant compared to control. Spectral reflectance characteristics obtained by remote sensing method of leaf reflectance confirmed the presence of two groups of infected trees against the group of healthy (control) trees. With calculated vegetation indices were corroborated the changes in some indicators characterizing the evolution and habitus
of trees. Good correlation between vegetation indices and extinction values obtained by ELISA was found. Results of spectral analyses indicate that the leaf spectral reflectance is a reliable tool for early detection of stress in young apple trees.

Keywords: apple; ASGV infection; cv. Florina; remote sensing; trunk diameter; vegetation index; young trees

Date published: 2017-08-09