Italy: apple tree disease Apple Proliferation spreads

Rome – According to research performed by the agrarian Institute San Michele, the disease Apple Proliferation (also known as “witch’s broom”), which in the last years has infected some apple trees in the Val di Non orchards, is now spreading in the Trento and Vallagarina areas also, with an amount of 1.164 infected trees on 120.000 hectare (an average amount of 20 infected plants per hectare).

From 2003 to 2005, the percentage of infected apple trees has doubled every year, increasing form 0,31% in 2003 to 0,58% in 2004 and to 0,98% in 2005. The trees which are hardest hit are those with an age between 11 and 15 years, with a particular incidence in the plantations older than 20 years. The Apple Proliferation disease, which is present in all European countries, has been observed for the first time in 1950 in the Veneto and Trentino Italian regio’s.


It is characterized by an abnormal and uncontrolled emission of new sprouts, so that the branches appear like brooms. This illness also damages the production, because the apples remain often too small, green and malformed. Yet does not exist any defense method against this illness, but only prevention is possible, for example renovating the old plantations or using certified healthy apple trees.

Publication date: 23 dec 2005
Author: Rossella Gigli
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