Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis) in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Apple scab is a serious fungal disease that damages apple trees and fruit, causing significant crop losses worldwide. This study examined apple scab fungus in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, surveying 30 different apple populations and testing 302 samples. Using DNA testing and microscopy, researchers confirmed the fungus is present in about 16% of the apple populations studied, with different populations showing distinct genetic patterns based on their geographic location and whether the apples were wild or cultivated.