Brown rot—Monilinia spp.
Young blossom spurs and associated leaves on plants infected with Monilinia collapse to form shoot
blight. Gum may exude at the base of infected flowers. Cankers on blighted twigs have tan centers with
dark margins. At high humidity, gray to tan spore masses form on diseased flower parts and twig cankers.
Flowers may become infected from pink bud to petal fall and are most susceptible when fully open. Stigma,
anthers, and petals are all very susceptible to infection.
Life cycle
Solutions
Prompt removal and destruction of diseased plant parts prevents
the buildup of brown rot inoculum and helps keep rot below
damaging levels. Prune trees to allow good ventilation. Furrow irrigate or use low-angle
sprinklers to avoid wetting blossoms, foliage, and fruit. Plant varieties that are least susceptible;
'Nonpareil', 'Price', and 'Solano' cultivars are less susceptible. If you have had problems in the past,
applications of fungicides at pink
bud stage can help avoid serious losses. |
Gumming at base of infected flowers |
Blighted
twigs |
Infected
flowers |
|
