Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40922095›Full record

ArticlePest management science2026

Assessing alternative strategies to control almond red leaf blotch through the reduction of Polystigma amygdalinum inoculum in leaf litter.

Gemma Pons-Solé, Lidia Aparicio-Durán, Jordi Luque, Laura Torguet, Xavier Miarnau

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Pest management science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Field Susceptibility of Almond (Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Gemma Pons-Solé *IRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection Program, Centre de Cabrils, Cabrils, Catalonia, Spain.
Lidia Aparicio-Durán *IRTA, Fruit Production Program, Fruitcentre, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0828-7590
Jordi LuqueIRTA, Sustainable Plant Protection Program, Centre de Cabrils, Cabrils, Catalonia, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0751-9692
Laura TorguetIRTA, Fruit Production Program, Fruitcentre, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.
Xavier MiarnauIRTA, Fruit Production Program, Fruitcentre, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.

Funding

Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI, Spain) PID2020-114648RR-C31Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA, Spain) RTA2017-00009-C04-01
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRed leaf blotch (RLB), caused by Polystigma amygdalinum, is a major foliar disease of almond trees in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. While preventive fungicide applications are the main control strategy, cultural practices aimed at reducing pathogen inoculum in leaf litter are gaining relevance. This study evaluated the efficacy of four chemical treatments on fungal biomass and ascospore production in leaf litter and assessed the impact of two cultural practices-urea application and leaf litter removal-on airborne inoculum levels and disease incidence under field conditions.

resultsUrea and lime sulfur significantly reduced ascospore production by 99% and 94%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Urea was the only treatment that also significantly reduced fungal biomass. In field trials, leaf litter removal reduced airborne ascospores by 60% but did not significantly affect RLB incidence or severity. Urea application reduced airborne ascospores by 45% and led to a modest yet statistically significant 4% reduction in disease incidence.

conclusionThis study highlights the potential of cultural practices to reduce the primary inoculum of P. amygdalinum in almond orchards. Urea application offers dual benefits by reducing both fungal biomass and ascospore release, contributing to modest disease suppression. For more effective and sustainable RLB control, these practices should be integrated into a broader management strategy that includes the selection of tolerant almond cultivars, preventive fungicide applications guided by forecasting models. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Indexed as

AscomycotaFungicides, IndustrialPlant DiseasesPrunus dulcisUreaBiomassPlant LeavesSpores, FungalFungicides, IndustrialUreaalmondcultural practicesdisease managementPolystigma amygdalinumPrunus amygdalusred leaf blotch

Identifiers

PMID40922095
PMCPMC12713699

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.