Which of the following is disease-related to apples?
VerifiedAnswer: mildew
Explanation:
Mildew is indeed a significant disease that affects apple trees and is one of the most common plant diseases you'll encounter in apple orchards. This fungal infection can seriously damage apple crops if left untreated, making it an important concern for both commercial growers and home gardeners.
There are two main types of mildew that affect apple trees: powdery mildew and downy mildew. Powdery mildew is the more common of the two and appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves, shoots, and sometimes fruit. You can easily recognize it by the dusty white patches that look like someone sprinkled flour on the plant parts.
The disease typically starts on young leaves and shoots during spring when conditions are warm and humid. Infected leaves may become distorted, curl up, or turn yellow before eventually dropping off the tree. When the infection spreads to developing fruits, it can cause them to become misshapen, develop rough patches, or even crack, making them unsuitable for consumption or sale.
What makes mildew particularly problematic for apple trees is how easily it spreads. The fungal spores are carried by wind and can quickly move from infected plants to healthy ones. Warm, dry days followed by cool, humid nights create perfect conditions for mildew development, which is why apple growers pay close attention to weather patterns during the growing season.
Prevention and control of mildew in apple orchards involves several strategies. Growers often use fungicide sprays during the growing season, especially during periods when weather conditions favor disease development. Proper pruning to improve air circulation, selecting resistant apple varieties, and maintaining good orchard hygiene by removing fallen leaves and infected plant material also help reduce the risk of infection.
Understanding diseases like mildew is crucial for anyone studying plant pathology or agricultural science. These fungal diseases demonstrate the complex relationships between plants, pathogens, and environmental conditions. They also highlight the importance of integrated pest management approaches in modern agriculture, where multiple strategies work together to maintain healthy crops while minimizing the use of chemical treatments.
