Most important diseases, pests and weeds in raspberry plantings of Yugoslavia and protection methods

Abstract

Disease, pest and weed control is meant the most complex and difficult stage within the whole process of raspberry production.

Raspberry is often invaded by a large number of parasitic fungi, viruses, bacteria, insects and other pests, with their various combinations being a common case. In addition to direct damages to plants, pests and weeds also contribute to conditions favouring fungal and microorganism growth (bacteria, viruses, etc.). Furthermore, if we consider a relatively high concentration of raspberry production, all this suggests that diseases and pests may pose a permanent threat to this economically most significant fruit species even to the level of epidemic effects.

A range of constraints could be a hindrance to raspberry protection with pesticides, however: 1) the application of chemical agents does not suit customer demands for large, consistent and high quality fruits without pesticide residues; 2) insects and other parasites show highly damaging effects mainly at the time of raspberry flowering, i.e. just at the time when pesticide use is not allowed due to a danger of bee poisening and 3) raspberry flowering and maturing stages in one planting may take a long time (over 60 days), with only one fertile spur undergoing several growing stages of fruit, i.e. enveloped and unenveloped flower immediately after being set, green and entirely mature fruit. All these seem to be serious deterrents to control measures adoption.

Solutions are being sought in integrated protection, implying efficient pesticide use before emergence of the first flowers and immediately after picking, as well as an adequate implementation of agrotechnical and pomological practices, from preparation that at are necessary for planting until exploitable age of raspberry planting has been completed.