Field efficacy of some products against the bacterial canker of kiwifruit in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

Within the Research Project on the bacterial canker of kiwifruit caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (PSA) sponsored by Emilia-Romagna Region during the period 2012-2015, the results of 4 trials in open field conditions – in presence of natural inoculum – to verify the efficacy of different active ingredients to control the disease are presented. The field trials confirmed previous studies on the efficacy of copper-based products and acibenzolar-S-methyl. A formulation of poliglucosammine and a formulation which combines the action of poliglucosammine with copper and boron contributed to reduce disease symptoms too. An inorganic compound based on aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate confirmed in open field the good results showed in vitro and in greenhouse assays. These results give good indication for the PSA management with copper and acibenzolar-S-methyl, while further studies to confirm the activity of the new compounds presented in this study are needed.