Sprinkler irrigation systems can release ascospores of Venturia inaequalis , the cause of apple scab, from infected leaves on the ground under conditions unsuitable for infection, and thus reducing the primary inoculum. Under-canopy irrigation was carried out for two hours in the middle of the day over overwintered apple leaves heavily infected with scab, either in a wind-protected enclosure or in a wind-exposed orchard. Ascos...