Wound protection on deciduous fruit trees

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Abstract
After a number of antimicrobial compounds had been investigated, captafol and mercuric oxide were included singly or together in a compounded methyl methacrylate/octyl acrylate copolymer emulsion, and the preparations were compared for inhibition of spore germination or growth of Stereum purpureum (Pers.) Fr., Nectria galligena Bres., Pseudomonas syringae van Hall., and Xanthomonas pruni (Erw. Smith) Dowson, in vitro . Mercuric oxide inhibited the bacteria at lower concentrations than captafol, but captafol was more effective than mercuric oxide in inhibiting the fungi. In glasshouse and field tests the compounded acrylic emulsion containing 1% w/w captafol plus 1% w/w mercuric oxide, and the proprietary wound dressing Santar A, were highly effective in protecting wounds on peach seedlings, and on apple rootstocks, from infection by spores of S. purpureum. No phytotoxic reactions were observed with the former preparation, but under some conditions Santar A caused a delay in callus development, and stimulated gum exudation, in peach trees. The dressings also assisted the healing of wounds made when tissue infected by N. galligena was cut away from apple branches.

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