The IBS fungicides constitute a very numerous group to control fungi that attack humans, animals and plants. The first fungicides of this group were introduced since 70’ years and improved noticeably crop protection thanks to a wide spectrum of action against diseases, the high curative activity and the absence of phytotoxicity.

In the 80’, fungicides belonging to the subgroup of triazoles (such as fenarimol, bitertanol, penconazole, ethaconazole) were commercialized and had a great interest for Venturia inaequalis control, because they allowed curative applications also four days after the beginning of infections [1] [2] . This biological activity improved apple scab control strategies, permitting fixed schedules from 5 - 6 to 7 - 8 days, or to realize programs based on curative applications [3] .

A large number of IBS treatments were often applied on several crops without awareness of resistance but several cases of reduced sensitivity to this pathogen and control occurred. The first regarded the IBS ethirimol on barley powdery mildew [4] ; later also triazoles were involved on Venturia inaequalis [5] , on Ustilago avenae [6] , on Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei [7] , on Cercospora beticola [8] etc.

In the 90’s, difenoconazole became the most used IBS fungicide in Italy and in many other Countries, thanks to higher curative activity [9] [10] . It resulted also able to exceed resistance to previous IBS’s as fenarimol, myclobutanyl and fenbuconazole [11] . By the late Author, the cause could be the major activity of difenoconazole, instead of a moderate cross-resistance with the other IBS fungicides. It was applied with a low number of curative applications (1 or 2), for avoiding resistance problems, and it was sometimes alternated with penconazole.

However, in the last years researches evidenced, in different parts of the word, the decrease of sensitivity of difenconazole [12] [13] [14] and activity [15] ; from 2012-2013 also in Italy suspected of reduced activity occurred.

Based on the above considerations, the objectives of the present research were to investigate:

-a more efficient methodology for assaying the reduced sensitivity of V. inaequalis populations to difenoconazole, which was also apt for monitorings.

-the presence of sensitivity reduction of V. inaequalis to difenoconazole (with probable field resistance) in some apple areas of Italian orchards.

Different methods of analysis were available: the traditional in vitro method based on monoconidial isolates on agar plates amended with fungicide; however, it is very time consuming relating to the slowness of V. inaequalis growth and a second problem is the facility of contamination by other microorganisms. Another method is based on detecting mutations that can occur in strains and populations with reduced sensitivity of V. inaequalis. This approach appears to be very complex because phenotypes with reduced sensitivity to IBS present generally several mutations with different biochemical effect, which can have different impact on activity of each IBS, as demonstrated [16] on Micosphaerella graminicola. Moreover, V. inaequalis presents another resistance mechanism based on overexpression of Cyp51 gene [17] .

Another methodology, recently advised also by FRAC [18] , is based on in vivo tests on apple seedlings.

Two biological methodologies were compared (one in vitro and another in vivo):

Table 1 shows locations and characteristics of populations belonging to the three types mentioned. In Table 2 there are the mean EC₅₀ values of monoconidia of each population and the mean EC₅₀ values of all populations belonging to each type. The highest EC₅₀ values were detected for the five suspected populations. The intensity of this increase, expressed as RF (Resistance Factor) and based on mean EC₅₀ value of wild-types, showed moderate increases, from 6.0 to 12.4 (mean RF: 9.2) of isolates of well controlled populations and an RF from 11.0 to 41.3 (mean RF: 24) for isolates of suspected populations.

In Figure 1, EC₅₀ values of monoconidial isolates grouped in each of the three types of V. inaequalis populations were statistically compared. Differences in sensitivity were found between wild-types and well-controlled populations, showing the lowest EC₅₀ values for the wild-types. On the contrary, the EC₅₀ values of well and poorly controlled populations were statistically comparable.

*Populations well controlled by IBS from several Italian apple areas; **Resistance Factor: EC₅₀ each population/mean EC₅₀ wild-types; ***Resistance Factor: mean EC₅₀ value of each type of population/mean EC₅₀ wild-types; ****EC₅₀ value: probit analysis from diameter (mm) of each monoconidial colony 22 days after the putting on agar.

The activity of difenoconazole in in vivo assays on V. inaequalis populations is showed in Table 3. Assays were realized on the two wild-type populations, three well controlled and four suspected of reduced control by difenoconazole, generally the same populations tested for monoconidial isolates, no wild-types , both in preventive applications, 24 and 72 hours before inoculation, and in curative ones, 56 and 96 hours after the inoculation.

The population n. 156 was well controlled by difenoconazole that showed a preventive activity (relative efficiency) of 98.5% (48 hours) and 100% (24 hours). Curative trials revealed an activity from 95.5% to 100% in treatments 56 hours after inoculation.

Another well-controlled population, n.98, showed an activity of 96% in preventive application 72 hours before treatment and 94% and 100% in applications 24 hours before. Curative applications showed an efficiency of 100% and 98.4% in treatments 56 hours after inoculation and 97.2%, treated 96 hours later.

Population defined “mixed” (well-controlled) permitted moderately inferior values of curative activity respect to the previous populations, both at 56 hours (74% and 72%) and 96 hours (78% in two trials). On the contrary, the preventive activity of well controlled ones (72, 48 and 24 hours before the inoculations) was superior to 90% in the applications 72 hours before inoculation, superior to 98.5% in applications 48 hours before and higher than 94.1% in treatments 24 hours before.

The populations suspected of reduced control by difenoconazole showed an efficiency, in preventive treatments higher than 96.0%, 80.0% and 88.0%, when the applications were realized, respectively, 24, 48 and 72 hours before inocula- tion. The curative applications (on the last type of population) realized 56 hours after inoculation, that present a higher number of data, respect all other timings

*Mean percentage of infected area in susceptible leaves; **mean percentage of scabbed area of susceptible leaves on each treated sample × 100; mean percentage of scabbed area of susceptible leaves on test.

of application, showed 72.9 as efficiency (%) of pop. n. 29-13, while the efficiency decreased to 56.9% for pop. n. 25, 50.0% for pop. n. 116, 44.5% and 48.0%, two results referred to pop. n. 23-13. The percentage of efficiency showed low values: 24.9% and 31.1% for pop. n. 31-13, 24.9% for n. 26-13 and 22.2% related to pop. n. 3-15.

Statistical analysis of these data (Figure 2) showed that activity of difenoconazole on preventive treatments is significantly similar among the three types of populations, while curative treatments, especially those realized 58 hours after

application, showed an activity of difenoconazole on “suspected populations” less than that on wild types and “well controlled”. Lightly less evident differences were visible in applications 96 hours later that however present a lower number of data.

The populations of V. inaequalis belonging to the three types (wild-types, well and poorly-controlled with suspects of resistance to difenoconazole) have been tested with different methods having the aim to verify differences in sensitivity.

The traditional in vitro tests, based on monoconidial isolates grown in media amended with difenoconazole showed rather low differences among the types of populations, as sensitivity (expressed as EC₅₀ values) and as Resistance Factor (RF). With regard to the wild-types, the RF (Resistance Factor) showed a value of 9 related to well-controlled populations and 24 for poorly-controlled ones, which were considered with suspects to have resistance to difenoconazole. This is in line with characteristic of resistance to all IBS fungicides that is due to several mutations, each causing a moderate reduction of sensitivity. Only with several mutations that generally occur in different times, the reduction of sensitivity and activity can increase appreciably [19] .

Our in vitro data showed a natural sensitivity to difenoconazole of 0.0075 mg/L (mean EC₅₀ of wild-types), and sensitivity reductions until 0.1 mg/L of populations that do not influence field activity of the fungicide. On the contrary, the sensitivities with higher EC₅₀ values were present in populations with reduced activity and with suspects of resistance to difenoconazole. Other research- es, as in Chile [12] , found 0.017 mg/L as mean EC₅₀ of monoconidia of wild-type populations, while populations of commercial orchards had a mean EC₅₀ value of 0.08 mg/L, and did not present activity reductions In Serbia wild-types showed a mean EC₅₀ of 0.0175 mg/L, while a population with 0.13 mg/L as mean EC₅₀ value demonstrated a practical resistance [14] . In USA, Pfeufer [20] proposed a discriminatory dose of 0.125 mg/L to differentiate sensible from resistant populations to difenoconazole. Stammler (personal communication) reports that a V. inaequalis population should be considered resistant when 70% of isolates present EC₅₀ ≥ 0.3 mg/L.

In conclusion, I think that it could be possible to identify a discriminatory dose of about 0.1 mg/L and superior values could put in evidence cases of reduced sensitivity and probably activity to difenoconazole.

It is confirmed also that in vitro sensitivity differences among V. inaequalis populations, expressed as EC₅₀ values of monoconidia colonies, were generally low. A consequence, evidenced by Franzine [21] , is that only with a high number of tested isolates it was possible to evidence clearly statistic differences between populations sensible to IBS and those with reduced sensitivity.

The in vivo method utilized in this work is based on preventive or curative activity of difenoconazole against the three types of V. inaequalis populations. It was no possible to show differences among preventive treatments (24, 48 or 72 hours before inoculation). On the contrary, only curative tests (especially realized about 60 hours after inoculation) showed clearly that the sensitivity and activity of difenoconazole on wild-types and well-controlled populations is significantly higher with respect to the poorly controlled populations. Probably the reason depends on the fact that the curative application acts on spores of a fungus that is already germinated and has developed cells, with enzymes, fatty acids and genetic material (DNA, RNA), with the probability that mutations related to resistance, are becoming expressed.

In the preventive treatments, there are single cells (spores) that are going to germinate with a low presence of molecules that can be devitalized. Must be pointed out that this difference is not treated in scientific publications, even if Sierotsky (Syngenta) confirmed the decrease of activity of curative applications in cases or reduced sensitivity (personal communication).

Also with reference to anilinopyrimidines, the populations of V. inaequalis with reduced sensitivity and activity showed this characteristic with curative applications and not with preventive ones [22] . However, the sensitivity and activity differences between sensible and resistant populations were much more evident with difenoconazole respect pyrimethanil and cyprodinil, probably for the intrinsic higher curative activity of the IBS fungicide.

The assessment of the reduced sensitivity to difenoconazole of V. inaequalis populations (likely correlated to resistance and reduction of control) is better realized using in vivo tests that are much more less time consuming with respect to in vitro tests and, especially with curative applications, can differentiate more strongly the sensitive from the resistant populations.

About the cause/s that determined an increase of populations resistant to difenoconazole, it must be considered what in Italy, and probably in other Countries, several control complains of apple scab occurred, due to the occurrence of QoI fungicides resistance [23] . This situation often caused an interruption in use of QoI and an increase of IBS treatments (mainly difenoconazole), from one-two to four-five-six every year.

This increase of difenoconazole use could be the main cause of resistance. It should be noted that generally disease control problems using difenoconazole appear much less severe in years with low infective pressure of Venturia inaequalis. The particular multigenic nature of resistance in this chemical group could be the cause of this complex and variable behavior, especially for the normal sexual phase from year to year.

Now we are realizing in field and in vivo trials to evaluate how many years of no use of IBS are necessary for a resistant orchard to return in order to re-start using IBS fungicides.

The demonstrated risk of resistance of V. inaequalis to difenoconazole, also in case of a moderate number of applications, contributes to get more complex the employ of fungicides applied in apple scab control in the last years, for occurrence of resistance of Venturia inaequalis, with different characteristics related to each chemical group.

Simpler is the situation of QoI fungicides, because the monosite mode of action can justify the cases of resistance verified with surveys in some areas of North Italy [23] and USA (Michigan) [24] . It is difficult to have a more precise knowledge of diffusion of resistance because few surveys or monitoring were realized by public research organisms.

More complex is the situation of IBS (mainly difenoconazole), dodine, anilinopyrimidines and dithianon. IBS and dodine were introduced several decades ago and showed resistant situations but with a number of applications superior to that occurred in the last years [5] [25] .

Anilinopyrimidines seem to be characterized by oligo-sites of action, but even with a moderate number of applications (4 - 6), showed the possibility of resistance in Italy [22] and France [26] . Notably, these fungicides caused low reductions, not also in sensitivity, but also in scab control (unpublished data).

Dithianon is a multi-site fungicide that was applied, often alone, in all the phases of scab control. Recent researches showed that a high number of applications (more than 8) could cause a reduction of activity (unknown in previous decades) with a moderate degree of infection [27] .

All these situations are not endemic but do not seem sporadic. Unfortunately, surveys and monitoring are very few. The most suitable hypothesis of these recent, more severe, resistant problems seems to be a non-sporadic increase of V. inaequalis strains with a higher fitness and ability to overcome the mechanisms of activity of fungicides.

This phenomenon can happen more easily where apple cultivations are present in a large land and there is a diffused presence of cultivars with moderate of high susceptibility to scab. In addition, the persistence of susceptible cultivars is important and indeed Gessler [28] demonstrated a specialization cultivar- pathotypes with a progressive increase of virulence of strains on the same cultivar.

Unfortunately, there are not specific researches on the increase of V. inaequalis virulence in apple cultivation areas with consequences in scab control, probably because the argument is very challenger, expensive and time consuming.

Therefore, the nowadays setting of apple scab control program is very complex, requires a good knowledge of fungicides and resistance problems and is based on an alternate employ of all chemical groups available for the control of V. inaequalis.

Resistance recommendations of FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee) from main Chemical Companies are important (with possible restriction for QoI fungicides) and must be noted that the use in mixture of fungicides with resistance risk is increasingly advised. It is positive that the new SDHI fungicides do not have any report of resistance also thanks to the general prudence about the number of advised applications (two, consecutive). The knowledge of maximum number of advised applications is important for every chemical group and also the biological activity (preventive and curative performances) of fungicides. The number of curative applications must be very low for all chemical groups, preferring difenoconazole for most critical situations and infections.

However, it must be pointed out that only a much higher diffusion of cultivars with low or very low susceptibility to scab could permit a easier and laid back setting of control programs, but we know that it is a difficult improvement, where not only researchers, but also producers, consumers and relative associations, GDO (Great Distribution Organized), marketing and public government must be involved.

Thanks to G. Battistini and A. Finestrelli for support in realizing trials, E. Muzzi for statistical elaboration, M. Collina for logistic help; to Emilia-Romagna Region and Trentino Province for economic support.

Fiaccadori, R. (2017) Researches on Methodologies to Verify Reduced Sensitivities of Venturia inaequalis in Field to Difenoconazole and First Indications of a Survey in Italy. American Jour- nal of Plant Sciences, 8, 2056-2068. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2017.89138