Leaf Spot Control on Quince Understocks Increases Stand of Dwarf Pear1

Abstract

Abstract In 1962 an Iowa nursery had almost no dwarf pear trees growing from the previous season’s budding. This exceptionally poor stand was attributed to lack of bud take on the quince understock, Cydania oblonga Mill. During the previous summer the understock block had suffered extensive earlv defoliation as a result of infection by the leaf spot fungus, Fabraea maculata Atk. (1). Poor bud take in pear has been linked to early defoliation and subsequent hardening of the understock wood (2). The effect of preventing defoliation by leaf spot on success of budding pear on quince was investigated.