Resistance to Myclobutanil in Populations of Venturia inaequalis in Winchester, Virginia

Sterol-inhibiting (SI) fungicides are widely used to manage apple scab,caused by Venturia inaequalis. However, recent observations indicate that populations of V. inaequalis in orchards in Virginia have developed resistance to myclobutanil and other SI fungicides. Little is known about the frequency and distribution of fungicide resistance in apple scab populations in Virginia. Isolates of V. inaequalis were collected from three different apple orchards in Winchester, VA in 2006. Orchards were treated with myclobutanil on12 April, 19 April, 1 May, 30 May, and 7 July. The sensitivity of 87 single-spored isolates of V. inaequalis to myclobutanil was determined by monitoring their growth on agar dishes amended with 0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 micrograms per milliliter myclobutanil. A relative continuum of fungicide resistance was observed: 16 isolates were resistant, 40 isolates were moderately resistant, and 31 isolates were sensitive to myclobutanil. After 28 days, the mean growth of isolates collected from trees treated with myclobutanil was significantly greater than that of isolates collected from non-treated trees at all concentrations of myclobutanil tested in vitro. High levels of fungicide resistance found in populations of V.inaequalis suggest that replacement programs may need to be developed to manage apple scab in Virginia.