Germinability of Venturia inaequalis Conidia Exposed to Sunlight

ABSTRACT Detached conidia of Venturia inaequalis were exposed simultaneously outdoors to direct sunlight or in an adjacent ventilated enclosure in darkness for periods ranging from 0.5 to 16.5 h. In addition, conidia were either exposed or not exposed to UV light (254 nm) from 1 to 64 min in the laboratory. After exposure, conidia were placed on water agar in closed petri dishes and allowed 24 h to germinate. Germinability of conidia in the laboratory was reduced up to 95% by doses of UV(254) of 8.1 to 10.8 kJ m(-2).Germinability of conidia in the field was reduced up to 95% by doses of UV-B of about 44 kJ m(-2). A significant percentage of conidia survived radiation doses equivalent to 12 h in full sunlight.