Fusicoccum canker (constriction canker)

Phomopsis amygdali (Delacr.) Tuset & Portilla

Distribution: Common to all fruit-growing regions in eastern North America; most problematic in warm and humid production regions.

Photos

Tendrils of conidia are visible with a hand lens. Philip Brannen, Univ. of Georgia
C

On new shoots, small, reddish brown to dark, oval cankers centered on infected buds or leaf scars, or at the base of current season's twigs are found in early spring (A, B). As lesions enlarge, they develop a necrotic center surrounded by a purplish halo and eventually girdle and kill the branch above the lesion, giving it a blighted appearance. Lesions may be dotted with very tiny black fruiting bodies (pycnidia). Tendrils of conidia are exuded from pycnidia under favorable conditions and can be seen with a hand lens (C). On leaves, large, irregularly shaped brown spots are formed.

Crops Affected: peaches

Management

Pruning and destroying infected branches reduces disease pressure. Fungicides applied prior to infection reduces incidence of the disease.

Similar Species

The appearance of blighted shoots can be confused with blossom blight caused by Monilinia fructicola (G. Wint.) Honey; look for the cankers as a means of differentiating the two.