RT Journal Article
T1 Effects of winter pruning intensity on the interactions between the apple tree and rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
A1 Benzina, Sabrina
A1 Harizia, Abdelkader
A1 Elouissi, Abdelkader
A1 Canelo, Tara
A1 Bonal Andrés, Raúl
AB Winter pruning is known to affect aphid infestation and plant growth, but no experimental results have been reported on how this cultural practice affects apple tree–aphid interactions. For this reason, the present field study aimed to assess the effects of increased winter pruning on apple tree–rosy apple aphid interactions. These effects were evaluated by examining tree vegetative growth, aphid dynamics, and fruit yield. The results indicated that vegetative growth increased with increased pruning. The aphid infestation lasted for six weeks in the netted row and became heightened when the pruning level rose, whereas the final growth rate of the shoot was not affected by pruning intensity or aphid infestation index. High levels of infestation induced leaf curling and leaf fall, causing stunted growth. The fruit growth parameters were found to be dependent on pruning intensity and aphid infestation index. Fruit diameter and fresh weight both decreased with increased pruning intensity but were not affected by aphid infestation. Decreases in pruning intensity and aphid infestation elevated fruit yield. Our findings lay a foundation that will help to improve our understanding of the interactions between D. plantaginea and apple trees.
PB Springer
SN 1861-3829
YR 2023
FD 2023-08-12
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/120546
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/120546
LA eng
NO Benzina, S., Harizia, A., Elouissi, A., Canelo, T., & Bonal, R. (2023). Effects of winter pruning intensity on the interactions between the apple tree and rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 130, 1239–1250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-023-00789-7
NO AcknowledgementsWe are thankful to the apple grower M. Benamina Mohamed for his technical help. We also extend our thanks to the greenhouse staff of the Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences (Mascara University, Algeria) for their kind assistance.FundingThe authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.
DS Docta Complutense
RD 27 feb 2026