Development and validation of an integrated method to control viral diseases in fruit trees

Issayev G. Toyzhigitova B. Salybekova N. Erdenov M. Serzhanova A. Babayeva G.
2025 Springer Nature

European Journal of Plant Pathology
2025

This study aims to develop and evaluate an integrated strategy combining molecular diagnostics, biological agents, and agrotechnical practices to control viral diseases in fruit trees in southern Kazakhstan. The research was conducted in the Aral–Syrdarya basin from 2023 to 2024 and covered 150 hectares of orchards, including apple, pear, plum, cherry, and apricot trees. Experimental plots were assigned to five treatment groups: control (no targeted intervention), traditional, molecular, biological, and integrated. Each crop-treatment group included four independent replicates. The integrated approach consistently achieved the lowest infection rates -10% for apple, 8% for pear, 15% for plum, 5% for cherry, and 12% for apricot compared to 30–50% in untreated controls. Differences were statistically significant across all crops. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that integrated treatments yielded the highest chlorophyll concentrations and antioxidant activity. Survival analysis revealed the highest 12-month survival rates under integrated management, while logistic regression confirmed that integrated practices significantly reduced the risk of morbidity. Despite higher implementation costs and lower short-term profitability compared to traditional methods, the integrated approach demonstrated superior agronomic and ecological performance across all fruit crops. These results highlight its potential applicability to other agroecological zones, provided that cost structures are optimized and economic incentives for adoption are developed.

Agroecology , Biological methods , Fruit trees , Integrated pest management , Molecular diagnostics , Viral disease control

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Department of Biology, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkestan, Kazakhstan
Bolashaq Centre for International Programs, 70 Syganak Str, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Department of Biology
Bolashaq Centre for International Programs

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