Economic Impact of Fire Blight with Susceptible and Resistant Apple Rootstocks

Abstract

We estimated the economic impact of theoretical fire blight induced tree loss considering a range of scenarios. The use of fire blight resistant rootstocks dramatically reduced the negative impact of fire blight induced tree losses on lifetime orchard profitability. With susceptible rootstocks (M.9 and M.26), the reduction in Net Present Value with high levels of tree infection was as high as 70% which would render the planting unprofitable, while with resistant rootstocks the losses in NPV were lower (<30%) and the orchard would still be profitable.