Pear scab: biology, epidemiology and management

This PhD project aims to elucidate the infection biology of the pear scab pathogen, Venturia pirina. After an extensive literature search, crucial moments in the fungus’s lifecycle will be identified, from which different experimental objectives will be constructed. Alternatively, characterizing host susceptibility throughout the season forms an important trajectory. Furthermore, a quantitative PCR will be established to aid in the detection and quantification of Venturia pirina in a variety of field samples and experiments. The research done in this project is intended for direct translation to management practices, including a forecasting model.