Pear decay

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Infested tree
Heavily infested tree

The pear decline ( English Pear decline ) is one of phytoplasma triggered pears disease . It was first detected in the USA in 1963, and is now widespread across Europe.

Symptoms

A distinction is made between quick decline and slow pear decline .

With rapid pear decay, unstoppable damage such as a growth stoppage and withering of the leaves occurs. The roots seem to be getting no more nutrients. The tree dies after a few weeks. The rapid decay of pears has so far only been proven in the USA.

In contrast, with slow pear decay, the disease progresses over several years. Symptoms here are stagnation in length growth, a change in the leaves (smaller, leatherier, lighter) and generally weak, thin leaves in summer. An early red coloration of the leaves is a clear sign in autumn. The flowering is noticeably strong in the first year of infection, and thins out considerably in the following years. In the root area, the fine roots die off. The disease ends with the death of the tree.

Pathogen

Phytoplasmas are bacteria that have no cell walls and are found in the sieve tubes of trees. The disease is transmitted via the pear leaf suckers and their larvae. A transfer is completed after a few minutes. Transmission is also possible through grafting to other pear trees and root growth. However, there is no infection of other trees through pollen or seeds.

The pathogen has its "seat" in the root area , where it also hibernates. A disease control by grafting or pruning is therefore not possible. The only chance against the pathogen is to find resistant documents that do not allow the pathogen to colonize.

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