DISEASE

NAME
Brown Rot, Stone Fruit
Sclerotinia fructicola & Sclerotinia laxa


Description
Pathogenic, Fungal Problem

Symptoms
This fast spreading fungal disease attacks flower, fruit and twigs. Infected blossoms turn brown, die and persist on the plant particularly under humid condition. Normally mature fruit is affected forming brown soft patches that rapidly engulf the host that is covered in purplish dusty spores. The fruit becomes completely rotten within 3 top 5 days then shrivels and falls or persists on the plant (mummies). The fungus migrates from the infected fruit and girdles the twigs causing them to die.

     
Source and Dispersal
The fungus overwinters on dead fruit (mummies) and there stalks or the infested twigs and is spread by wind or water and insects. It can also be spread by moving infected plants or parts of to other areas.

Mummy     

Favoured Conditions
It prefers conditions when the blossoms remain wet for up to 15 hours as in cool nights during rainy periods in spring. It commonly first selects damaged areas for infection.

Affected Plants
Stonefruits are the main host and all species and cultivars are affected.

Non-chemical Control
Avoid watering directly on the blossoms and prune to encourage adequate air circulation. Prune affected twigs and remove dead fruit during winter and destroy. During the growing period remove any infected fruit or flowers immediately and when handling mature fruit avoid damaging the skin.

Chemical Control
Preventative fungicides such as copper oxychloride may be sprayed during the flowering period, prior to rain.
Note
Always read the label for registration details and direction of use prior to application of any chemicals.