Table 1. Ratings of selected cultivars and strains 

 made after the Michigan fire blight epidemic, 1991. 

 Cultivars are listed in order, from most resistant to 

 most susceptible, using a 5 point scale developed at 

 Geneva, NY: 1= very resistant; 2=moderately resis- 

 tant; 3 intermediate; 4=moderately susceptible; 

 5=very susceptible. 



Cultivar 



Rating 



yet present in New Zealand or Japan, home of 

 Gala, Braeburn, and Fuji. 



New England probably has somewhat less 

 fire blight pressure than Michigan or New York, 

 and may not have a large population of strepto- 



mycin-resistant Erwinia amylovora. While the 

 situation in our region should not discourage 

 people from planting limited amounts of the new 

 cultivars, extensive plantings may present 

 some significant long-term risks from fire blight. 



Fruit Notes, Summer, 1992 



11 



