Effect of an Ethylene Inhibitor, Aminoethoxyvinylglycine, on the Dead Spur Disorder of Spur Type Red Delicious Apple. C. L. PARISH, Plant Pathologist,USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Tree Fruit Research Laboratory, 1104 N. Western Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801. E. A. STAHLY, Plant Physiologist, and M. W. WILLIAMS, Plant Physiologist, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Tree Fruit Research Laboratory, 1104 N. Western Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Plant Dis. 78:347-349. Accepted for publication 7 October 1993. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1994. DOI: 10.1094/PD-78-0347.

Dead spur, a disorder of Delicious apple trees, is characterized by weak, dying, and dead fruit spurs on limbs 3 yr old and older. An autumn application of an endogenous ethylene inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), as a foliar spray or as an injection into the trunk caused remission of dead spur symptoms. Most fruit spurs on treated trees regained productiveness compared to controls. Repeat application helped to maintain spur viability.