-2- 



rapid decline, some slow decline and others no decline at all. 

 His rating is as follows: 



Rapid decline Slow decline None 



Jerseymac Idared Cortland 



Quinte Mcintosh Empire 



Red Delicious Spartan Golden Delicious 



Rhode Island Greening Stayman Rome Beauty 



Tydeman ' s Red York Imperial 



Those in the slow decline group may show increased suscepti- 

 bility to other diseases. Stress caused by TmRSV may be a factor 

 in predisposing trees to collar rot, caused by the fungus Phyto - 

 phthora cactorum . 



A detection system for TmRSV has been developed, which can 

 be used to detect the virus before brown-line develops. The test 

 takes a day to complete and is useful as an advanced warning of 

 potential problems. 



Inarch grafting is one possible way to prolong the life of 

 trees with brown-line decline. Wood from a rootstock other than 

 MM. 106 can be used to supply the aerial portions of the tree with 

 nutrients and water. 



Nurseries have made considerable efforts to eliminate TmRSV, 

 principally by means of soil fumigation to eliminate the dagger 

 nematode. Proper site preparation by growers is also very helpful 

 Elimination of weeds and fallowing a year before planting will 

 help to reduce nematodes in new orchard sites. 



Note to Massachusetts Fruit Growers : 



If you suspect that you have a brown-line decline problem, 

 please contact Dr. William J. Manning, Department of Plant Path- 

 ology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003. 



