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Aphids at crossroads: when branch architecture alters aphid infestation patterns in the apple tree

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Abstract

Plant architecture highly constrains pest infestation but is rarely considered in studies on plant–insect interactions. We analysed the relationships between apple tree architectural traits manipulated by tree training and within-branch development of Dysaphis plantaginea (rosy apple aphid, RAA), a major apple pest, during its multiplication wingless phase in spring. We hypothesised that the degree of branching had an effect on RAA within-branch infestation. In an experimental apple orchard, the infestation by aphid wingless forms was surveyed in two consecutive spring seasons within branches manipulated to design contrasted architectures differing in shoot numbers, shoot density and branching orders. Whatever the branch management system, aphid infestation was higher on long versus short, fruiting versus vegetative, and growing versus non-growing shoots. Either less infested shoots or less severe infestation were observed in the most branched system. A pattern of within-branch short-distance infestation was confirmed. Moreover, the number of branching points between two shoots exerted a high constraint on this infestation pattern. Beside possible trophic effects due to plant growth patterns already documented in the literature, a high degree of branching is likely to be a key-architectural trait to constrain within-branch aphid infestation. This opens new perspectives on the manipulation of branch architecture as a mean giving partial control of pests towards sustainable fruit production.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the French Ministry of Agriculture (C06-01- Pommiers; Programme 142-27, Ctps 2007-2009). We are grateful to the staff members of Gotheron experimental unit and B. Hucbourg (GRCETA Basse-Durance) for their contribution to tree training and orchard management, to J.L. Hemptinne (ENFA Toulouse) and J.L. Regnard (Supagro Montpellier) for stimulating discussions, and to David Biron for his helpful advice on the English version.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRA, Unité Expérimentale Recherche Intégrée UE695 Gotheron, 26320, Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence, France

    Sylvaine Simon, Karine Morel, Emilie Durand, Géraldine Brevalle & Thierry Girard

  2. INRA, UMR AGAP, #1334, Equipe ‘Architecture et Fonctionnement des Espèces Fruitières’, CIRAD Lavalette, Avenue Agropolis, TA A-108/03, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Pierre-Éric Lauri

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  1. Sylvaine Simon
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  2. Karine Morel
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  3. Emilie Durand
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  4. Géraldine Brevalle
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  5. Thierry Girard
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  6. Pierre-Éric Lauri
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Correspondence to Sylvaine Simon.

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Communicated by D. Treutter.

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Simon, S., Morel, K., Durand, E. et al. Aphids at crossroads: when branch architecture alters aphid infestation patterns in the apple tree. Trees 26, 273–282 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-011-0629-8

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