Impact of Sharka disease on tree growth, productivity and fruit quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

Abstract

In this study, the influence of Sharka disease, caused by Plum pox virus (PPV), on tree growth, yield attributes, financial losses, fruit physical properties, nutritive compounds, phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant power was evaluated in a susceptible apricot (Primus armeniaca L.) genotype. The results showed that Sharka significantly reduced tree growth, yield and economic results in PPV infected trees in comparison with PPV uninfected trees. The Sharka did not change fruit and stone weight and fruit shape, but significantly decreased flesh rate and flesh firmness. Soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) were higher in symptomatic fruits, whereas ripening and sweetness index, sucrose and total sugars contents were smaller in fruits from PPV infected trees. Differences in content of invert sugars were not significant. Finally, PPV significantly reduced total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in comparison with their contents in fruits from PPV uninfected trees.