Fruits & Nuts

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Home Fruit disease and insect control

Home Fruit Spray Guide

Tree Fruit diseases

Small Fruit diseases
Commercial Pecan diseases
Homeowner Pecan Spray Guide
 Disease and Insect Control in Home Fruit Plantings
Steve Bost, Professor; Karen Vail, Professor; Patricia Barnwell,
Extension Program Assistant III and Frank Hale, Professor Entomology
and Plant Pathology

Growing fruit in the home garden can be an interesting, fun Rates of product application are not provided in these
and rewarding hobby. Many novices dream of plucking perfect charts, because of the diversity of product concentrations
fruit off trees in their yards. This does not happen without a offered. The product labels give the rates; follow them. The
great deal of work. Control of pests (insects and diseases) is label rates are expressed as amount per gallon of water. The
an integral part of the care necessary to achieve good results. following table can be used to determine the amount of spray
This publication provides guidelines for spraying home fruit mixture needed.
plantings, but good pest control is not possible if spraying is the
only action taken. Cultural practices such as pruning, sanitation, Amount of spray needed for each application
variety selection and selecting open, sunny sites for planting Gallon per tree
are necessary for good pest control. Specific cultural practices Height in feet Spread in feet per application
for each type of fruit are provided with the spray charts.
5 to 8 3 to 6 ½ to 1
How to Use the Spray Schedules 8 to 10 4 to 8 1 to 2
Most fungicide (disease control product) and some 10 to 15 8 to 15 3 to 5
insecticide (insect control product) applications are effective
only if applied preventatively, because it is not possible to Protect Pollinating Insects
control the pest satisfactorily after the fact. The timing of these Honey bees and other pollinating insects must be
preventive sprays is based on the growth stage of the plant protected from insecticides, which will kill them. Do not spray
and forms the foundation of the spray charts that follow. fruit plants with insecticides while the plants are in bloom.
In very rainy seasons, sprays may need to be applied
more frequently than the schedule given in the following charts.
Wet weather favors development of the disease-causing Pesticide Safety
organisms; thus, more chemical protection is needed. Also, Most of the pesticides suggested for use in this publication
rains can wash off the pesticides (fungicides and insecticides). are low-toxicity materials; however, some precautions are still
When rain occurs before a spray has dried or if rainfall totals needed.
more than 1 inch within 24 hours, the spray should be re- - Keep pesticides in the original, labeled container.
applied. Fungicides provide more benefit when applied before - Keep pesticides in a locked storage cabinet, away from
a rain than after, because protection from infection by disease- children or pets.
causing organisms is needed when plant surfaces are wet. - Read the label each time before you use the product.
- Wear rubber gloves, goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, long
pants and a hat when mixing and applying pesticides.
Additional Spray Tips - Handle the pesticide carefully when mixing. Avoid breathing
Thorough coverage of all above-ground plant parts is dust or vapors. Wash any chemicals off the skin immediately
needed for good pest control. One of the biggest mistakes with plenty of water.
home fruit growers make is to allow their trees to grow too tall.
- Never apply insecticides or fungicides with a sprayer that
If trees are maintained at a manageable height, it is easier to
has been used for weed killers.
spray them properly, as well as to harvest the fruit. Proper
- Do not spray if it is windy.
pruning practices reduce the amount of spray needed and
- Mix only as much as you need. Do not store diluted spray
permit better coverage.
mixtures from one application to the next. They will lose
The type of sprayer used depends on the size of the fruit
effectiveness and are unsafe.
planting. For most plantings of small fruits or for a few small
- Observe the harvest intervals and reentry requirements
fruit trees, pump-up sprayers are adequate. Trombone-type
given in the following table and on the product label.
sprayers are helpful for taller trees. For the increased spray
volumes required by larger home orchards, power sprayers are
recommended. Multipurpose Fruit Spray
Mixing a detergent or commercial spreader-sticker with the Multipurpose fruit tree spray products are mixtures
spray solution is recommended. This provides better coverage containing a fungicide (captan) and either one (malathion) or
of slick surfaces such as apple fruit or blackberry stems. two (malathion and carbaryl) insecticides.
Multipurpose sprays are convenient and are effective
against some, but not all, pests. Suggestions for their use are
provided in this spray guide. Mixtures containing carbaryl
should not be applied to apple or pear until 21 days after
petal fall, as it causes the fruit to drop.

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Harvest Restrictions
The following tables contain the most readily available home fruit pesticides, the crops on which they can be used
and the harvest restrictions. If any information in the tables disagrees with the product label, FOLLOW THE
INFORMATION ON THE LABEL.

Harvest Restrictions for Common Fruit Fungicides

Waiting period in days between final spray and harvest
Common Example Brand Blackberry Straw-
a
Names Names Apple Pear Peach Cherry Plum Raspberry berry Grape Blueberry
captan Captan 0 nr 0 0 0 nr 0 0 0
chlorothalonil Daconil, Fung-onil, nr nr * * * nr nr nr nr
Garden Disease
Control
copper Bordeaux Mix, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Copper Fungicide
lime sulfur Lime Sulfur 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
mancozeb Manzate, Dithane nr nr nr nr nr nr nr 66 nr
b
myclobutanil Immunox 14 nr 0 0 0 0 0 14 nr
propiconazole Infuse, Liquid nr nr 0 0 0 nr nr nr nr
Systemic Fungicide
streptomycin Agri-mycin, 50 30 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Fire Blight Spray
sulfur Sulfur 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
thiophanate- Thiomyl 1 nr 1 1 1 nr nr nr nr
methyl
nr = Not registered for this use.
* Chlorothalonil cannot be applied to peach, plum or cherry between shuck split and harvest.
a
List of brand names is not complete and does not imply any preference or discrimination to other products of similar,
suitable composition.
b
Immunox is labeled for use on the indicated fruits. Immunox Plus, which contains an insecticide as well as myclobutanil,
is labeled only for ornamentals.

Harvest Restrictions for Common Fruit Insecticides/Miticides

Waiting period in days between final spray and harvest
Common Example Brand Blackberry Straw-
a
Names Names Apple Pear Peach Cherry Plum Raspberry berry Grape Blueberry
acetamiprid Ortho Flower, 7 7 7 7 7 1 1 7 1
Fruit, &
Vegetable Insect
Killer Conc.
carbaryl Sevin 3 3 3 3 3 7 7 7 7
esfenvalerate Monterey Bug 21 28 14 14 14 21 nr nr 14
Buster II
gamma- Spectracide 21 21 14 14 14 nr nr nr nr
cyhalothrin Triazicide Insect
Killer Once &
Done Conc.
insecticidal soap Insecticidal Soap 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
malathion Malathion 3 1 7 3 nr 1 3 3 1
b b b
permethrin Eight, Total Pest * 14 7 nr nr 14 14 nr 14
Controlc

2
 Waiting period in days between final spray and harvest (continued)
Blackberry Straw-
Common Apple Pear Peach Cherry Plum Raspberry berry Grape Blueberry
Names Example Brand
pyrethrins Monterrey Bug 0e 0e 0e 0e 0e 0d 0e 0e 0e
Buster-Od
spinosad Monterey Garden 7 7 1 7 7 1f 1f 7 3
Insect Sprayd
spinosad Ferti-lome Borer, 7 7 14 7 7 3 1f 7f 3
Bagworm, Tent
Caterpillar & Leaf
miner Spray
See label for restrictions on application frequency and number of times each crop can be sprayed each season.
nr = Not registered for this use. * Do not apply after petal fall.
a
List of brand names is not complete and does not imply any preference or discrimination to other products of similar,
suitable composition.
b
Blackberry not on Total Pest Control or Eight label. Raspberry, strawberry and blueberry not onTotal Pest Control label.
c See label for restrictions on application frequency for Bonide Eight and Bonide Total Pest Control.
d NOP-approved for organic production; also OMRI listed.
e Do not harvest until spray dries.
f Label does not list fruit fly for these crops.

3
 APPLE AND PEAR
Apple and pear trees are subject to serious damage • Pruning trees according to recommendations
from pests and, as a result, a preventive spray program improves control of all above-ground diseases. In
is needed. The following practices will improve the well-pruned trees, air circulation and sunlight
effectiveness of the pesticides and may lessen the penetration are improved. This helps control diseases
need for sprays. by promoting rapid drying after rains and dew, and by
aiding penetration of sprays into the canopy.
Sanitation and Cultural Practices • Prune out and destroy all dead or diseased shoots
• Plant disease-resistant varieties. This method of and limbs during the dormant season. This helps
disease control is especially important for fire blight, reduce fire blight, fruit rots and certain leaf spots, as
where chemical control options are limited. Varieties the organisms that cause these diseases overwinter
resistant to cedar-apple rust, scab and powdery in the wood. Removing mummified (dark, shriveled,
mildew are also available. dry) fruit helps prevent the overwintering of the fruit
• Rake and destroy leaves in the fall, if apple scab, rot organisms.
pear scab or pear leaf spot are problems. The • Thin all tree fruits sot that the mature fruits will not
organisms that cause these diseases overwinter in touch each other. This spacing provides better
infected leaves. coverage of fruit surfaces by the sprays.
• For cedar-apple rust control, elimination of the source • Pruning out fire blight-affected shoots and blossom
of spores — cedar trees — is effective but not always clusters during the growing season is warranted if it is
possible. Removal of the galls caused by the fungus done just as symptoms are appearing. Otherwise it is
on cedar trees is helpful. best to let the disease run its course.

APPLE
Time to spray Material to use* Remarks
Delayed dormant: When buds Oil emulsion Oil for aphids, mites and scales. Use
swell plus copper if a history of fire blight.
copper
Bud break: From ½ inch long Captan For scab control.
green leaves to tight cluster (when
blossom buds are just visible)
Pink: Just before blooms open Captan or Immunox If cedar-apple rust has been a problem in
plus past, use Immunox in this and the petal
malathion fall and first cover spray. Insecticides for
plant bugs, or aphids.
Bloom: Begin at early bloom, Streptomycin Only for fire blight control. USE ONLY IF
repeat at 3- to 5-day intervals Note: To protect bees, do not apply NECESSARY.
insecticides during bloom!
Petal fall: When most of petals Captan or Immunox Insecticide for plum curculio, codling
have fallen plus moth, plant bugs, aphids, or leafroller.
malathion
First cover: 7 to 10 days after Captan or Immunox Insecticide for plum curculio, codling
petal fall spray plus moth, plant bugs, leafroller, leafhoppers
malathion or Oriental fruit moth.
Remaining covers: Apply at 2- Captan For fruit rots and sooty blotch.
week intervals until harvest plus
restriction date malathion
* See pesticide labels for rates. Insecticides listed may not be effective against all insects listed.
ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS: (1) Multipurpose spray (see discussion) can be substituted for all of the above
sprays except the dormant and bloom sprays. Note: Multipurpose sprays will not control cedar-apple rust.
(2) For improved disease control, thiophanate-methyl may be mixed with captan.

4
PEAR - See page 8

5
 PEACH, PLUM AND CHERRY
Peach, plum, cherry and other stone fruits are • Remove the overwintering structure for the brown rot
commonly affected by serious pest problems and, as a fungus, old mummified fruit left hanging in the tree or
result, a conscientious spray program is needed. The on the ground.
following sanitation and cultural practices will improve • Control of black knot of plum and cherry is dependent
the chances of success and may lessen the need for on removal of the knots before they begin to produce
sprays. spores. In late winter, prune out and destroy these
rough, black swellings or tumors that develop on
Sanitation and Cultural Practices limbs and twigs.
• Prune trees according to recommendations, to allow • Rake and destroy fallen cherry leaves, the
better air circulation and sunlight penetration. This overwintering site of the cherry leaf spot organism.
helps control diseases by promoting rapid drying after • Avoid planting peach varieties that are highly
rains and dew. Penetration of sprays into the canopy susceptible to bacterial leaf spot. Examples are
is also better if the trees are well-pruned. Elberta, Halehaven, Rio-Oso-Gem and Sunhigh.
Chemical control of this disease is very limited.
• Cherries will need protection from spotted wing
drosophila, if present (see BLUEBERRY).

Time to spray or name of spray Material to use Remarks

Delayed dormant: When buds Oil emulsion For aphids, scales and mites
swell
Bloom Captan Captan not needed on peach at this time
if good sanitation is used to control brown
Note: To protect bees, do not rot. Needed on plum and cherry if black
apply insecticides during bloom! knot is a problem, but sanitation is
required for good control.
Petal fall: When most of petals Captan or sulfur or chlorothalonil Insecticides for control of plum curculio,
have fallen plus malathion oriental fruit moth, plant bugs and stink
bugs.
Shuck split: When flower shucks Captan or sulfur or chlorothalonil
begin to split, or 7 days after petal plus malathion
fall
Cover sprays: Apply at 10- to 14- Captan or sulfur Carbaryl is good for beetle and oriental
day intervals plus fruit moth control and can be used
malathion beginning at second cover spray. Early
cover sprays are key for oriental fruit
moth control. Permethrin is very effective,
but can cause mite problems.

Trunk and main scaffolds sprays: esfenvalerate or gamma- For control of peachtree borer and lesser
Direct the spray to the bark on May cyhalothrin peachtree borer
31, June 30, July 15 (but not within
14 days of harvest). A final
application can be applied after
harvest.
Preharvest sprays: 2-3 weeks Captan plus either thiophanate- CRITICAL SPRAYS FOR BROWN ROT
before harvest and within 1 week of methyl, Immunox or CONTROL.
harvest propiconazole
Early dormant: Late fall, after leaf Copper or chlorothalonil or lime- Needed on peach for leaf curl and on
drop sulfur plum if plum pockets has been a
problem.
Notes: Multipurpose spray (see discussion) can be substituted for all of the above sprays except the dormant,
bloom, and preharvest sprays. See pesticide labels for rates. Insecticides listed may not be effective against all

6
insects listed. Malathion may not be labeled for plum. Substitute gamma cyhalothrin for plum curculio control.

7
 GRAPE
Most home grape plantings will require a preventive • Remove mummified berries (shriveled, dry, raisin-
schedule of pesticides, since certain pests such as like), as they provide an overwintering site for the
black rot can completely destroy a crop of fruit. fungus that causes black rot. Clusters on the vines as
However, the following sanitation and cultural practices well as those that have fallen to the ground should be
will reduce the need for pesticides. removed. Also, destroy infected canes that have been
pruned off.
Sanitation and Cultural Practices • For control of grape root borer, mounding soil makes
• Keep vines well-pruned according to it difficult for larvae to reach the roots or adults to
recommendations, to prevent overgrowth of vines emerge. Mound some soil 1 foot high for 1½ feet
and dense canopy. Pruning promotes air circulation around each vine between early and mid-June.
and sunlight penetration, thus more rapid drying after Remove the mounds around Thanksgiving.
rains and dew. Penetration of sprays into the foliar
canopy is also better if the vines are well-pruned.

Time to spray Material to use Remarks

New shoot sprays: Begin when Captan or mancozeb plus Fungicides for black rot and Phomopsis.
shoots are 4 to 6 inches long, and malathion If powdery mildew has been a problem,
repeat 7 to 10 days later add sulfur. Insecticide for grape berry
moth, flea beetle, plant bugs and grape
phylloxera.

Pre-bloom: When first blossoms Captan or mancozeb or Most damage from black rot occurs from
open Immunox pre-bloom through 4 weeks after bloom.
plus Mancozeb and Immunox are the most
malathion effective.

Post-bloom: When most bloom Captan or Immunox Fungicides for black rot, downy mildew
caps have fallen plus and powdery mildew. Insecticides for
malathion grape berry moth, flea beetle, leafhopper
and rose chafer.

Cover sprays: 7 to 10 days later, Captan or Immunox Fungicides for black rot, downy mildew
then at 2-week intervals until plus and powdery mildew. Insecticides for leaf
harvest restriction date malathion or carbaryl hopper, berry moth, Japanese beetle,
grape root borer. Carbaryl most effective
for Japanese beetle.
Notes:
• Multipurpose spray (see discussion) can be substituted for all of the above sprays .
• Malathion EC may cause injury to Ribier, Italia, Cardinal and Almeria varieties.
• Read the pesticide label for the proper rates of chemical to use. Insecticides listed may not be effective against
all insects listed.

PEAR
The only disease-control products labeled for use on home pears are copper, sulfur and streptomycin. Apply a
copper product at delayed dormant (for control of fire blight) and at pre-bloom, petal fall and the cover sprays (for
control of fungal diseases). Copper applied in early cover sprays may cause fruit russetting. Sulfur may be
substituted, but is not as effective against fruit rots. The streptomycin bloom sprays for fire blight control and the
insecticide sprays may be applied as indicated in the apple schedule.

8
 STRAWBERRY
An intensive, preventive spray program is • Maintain narrow rows throughout the growing
generally not needed on strawberry. Treatments season (maximum 18 inches wide), to maintain
can usually be made on an as-needed basis. The good sunlight and air penetration of the canopy.
following sanitation and cultural practices will This provides good berry formation and rapid drying
reduce the need for pesticides. Note: Day neutral after rains and dew.
strawberries will need protection from spotted wing • Plant varieties with resistance to red stele and leaf
drosophila, if present (see BLUEBERRY). For a spot. See UT Extension publication W018,
description of strawberry diseases found in Strawberry Diseases in Tennessee. Where
Tennessee, see Strawberry Diseases in anthracnose is a problem, consider the resistant
Tennessee. varieties Delmarvel, Sweet Charlie and Bish.
• Control weeds throughout the growing season.
Sanitation and Cultural Practices Weeds increase disease by shading the plants and
• Bed renovation immediately after harvest is crucial to by interfering with air circulation. Weeds also harbor
managing pest problems. Renovation involves many insect and mite pests.
narrowing rows, mowing leaves, removing weeds and • Mulch with straw before berries begin to lie on the
fertilization. Rake and destroy cut-off leaves and ground, to reduce gray mold and leather rot (fruit
stems after renovation. rots).
• Keep fruit picked to avoid attracting sap beetles.

Time to spray Material to use Remarks

Pre-bloom: When blossom buds Carbaryl or malathion Use as needed for crown borer,
appear in the spring strawberry weevil, strawberry
leafroller and catfacing insects
Bloom: At early bloom and again at Captan Needed for gray mold control if
full bloom Note: To protect bees, do not apply weather is rainy during bloom. For
insecticides during bloom! powdery mildew (rare), add Immunox.
Post-bloom to harvest: Every 7 to malathion Insecticides for spittlebugs, aphids,
10 days as needed. Observe plus strawberry rootworm, whiteflies,
harvest restrictions. captan tarnished plant bugs and leafrollers.
Captan not needed until berries begin
plus, if needed for spider mites:
to ripen, and then only if weather is
insecticidal soap rainy. Miticides should be applied 5 to
plus, if needed for slugs: 7 days apart.
metaldehyde bait
Post-harvest: Every 10 to 14 days Malathion or carbaryl Insecticides for root weevils,
as needed. plus, if needed for leaf blight or leafrollers and rootworm.
anthracnose:
captan
Notes:
• Multipurpose spray (see discussion) can be substituted for all of the above sprays except the bloom spray.
• Read the pesticide label for the proper rates of chemical to use. Insecticides listed may not be effective against
all insects listed.

9
 BLUEBERRY

If diseases have been a problem in the planting in past against adults; at present, no control is available against
years, captan can be used at 7- to 10-day intervals from larvae. Recommendations for control or suppression
bud break to harvest. Malathion or carbaryl can be used include rotating the use of pesticides with different
for occasional insect pests, but should not be used modes of action so that resistance does not develop.
during bloom. Repeated use of carbaryl can lead to mite Pay particular attention to the allowable number of times
buildup. a product can be used during a season. Organic
The female spotted wing drosophlia (SWD), a recently pesticides may have shorter intervals between
introduced species to Tennessee, lays eggs in blueberry applications especially after rain since the residual time
fruits with its serrated ovipositor. The fruit is damaged by is short. Cultural control includes harvesting all ripe fruit
introduced microorganisms and the developing maggot. to eliminate breeding sites. See
Protecting blueberry bushes with insect exclusion http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/spottedwing/pdfs/SWDgarde
netting (1mm mesh) may help reduce the chance of an n.pdf and related links for more information.
infestation. Sample SWD traps weekly
(https://ag.tennessee.edu/EPP/Fruit%20Pest%20News/ Sanitation Practices
Volume%2015,%20No.%201%20May%2014,%202014. • If mummy berry disease has been a problem, rake the
pdf). Once a spotted wing drosophila is detected, the area beneath and around plants to collect or bury any
crop must be sprayed every 7 days from the time the mummified fruits from the previous year’s crop.
fruit starts to color until harvest. Control is directed only • To reduce dieback diseases, prune out and destroy
dead twigs and branches

Spray guide for use if spotted wing drosophila is found.

Time to spray Materials to use in rotation Remarks
From beginning of berry spinosad Can be applied every 6 days with a limit of 6 times per
coloration until harvest season.
acetamiprid Can be applied every 7 days with a limit of 5 times per
season.
pyrethrins Can be applied every 3 days or less if pest pressure is
great, with unlimited applications during the season.

10
 BLACKBERRY AND RASPBERRY
An intensive, preventive spray program is generally • Destroy canes of cultivated or wild host plants with
not needed on raspberry or blackberry. Treatments can gall-like enlargements (red-necked cane borer) or
usually be made on an as-needed basis. The following wilting canes (raspberry crown borer) in June-July.
sanitation and cultural practices will reduce the need for • Prune wilted plants 2 or more inches below where
pesticides. Note: Berries will need protection from the cane is girdled due to raspberry cane borer.
spotted wing drosophila, if present (see BLUEBERRY). • To control the spread of orange rust of blackberry
and black raspberry, remove and destroy infected
Sanitation and Cultural Practices
canes as soon as symptoms appear in the spring.
• To reduce a source of pests, remove and destroy • Orange rust is recognized by a thin, willowy growth of
nearby wild brambles. new shoots, and the presence of orange spore
• Remove and destroy fruiting canes immediately after pustules on the undersides of leaves.
harvest. • To control the spread of rosette of blackberry, remove
• Promote rapid drying conditions and good air and destroy infected canes before blooms begin to
circulation in the canopy by controlling weeds, open. Rosette is recognized by the presence of
keeping the planting properly thinned and not clusters of stems on fruiting canes, producing a
allowing the row width to exceed 2 feet. bunchy appearance. Sepals are extended and
• Pick berries regularly during the harvest period so pinkish in color.
that overripe fruit do not accumulate. This will reduce • Mow everbearing raspberry varieties after fall harvest
problems with fruit rots, sap beetles, wasps and fruit to reduce disease carryover. This method produces a
flies. single, fall crop the following year.

Time to spray Material to use Remarks

Early to mid-bloom Copper (anthracnose, blackberry rosette, Apply these materials only if needed,
raspberry leafspot) or based on occurrence of these pests in
Immunox (raspberry leafspot, blackberry prior years or currently observed. Direct
orange rust, powdery mildew) or insecticide below blooms, if used when
sulfur (rusts, powdery mildew) blooms are present.
Note: To protect bees, do not apply
insecticides during bloom, if possible.
Malathion

Post-bloom: 3 to 4 additional Same as above. Same as above. Do not make more

applications at 2-week than 4 applications of Immunox per
intervals. Observe harvest year. If mite control is needed, apply
restrictions. malathion or insecticidal soap every 5 to
7 days.

IMPORTED FIRE ANT BAITS

There are two approaches to managing fire ants in home fruit plantings. Two insect growth regulator baits,
Extinguish Professional Fire Ant Bait and Esteem Ant Bait, are labeled for use within the fruit planting. Esteem is
not labeled for caneberries such as blackberry and raspberry. Fertilome Come and Get It Fire Ant Killer (spinosad)
lists most crops including, but not limited to, tree nuts, stone fruit, tree fruits, etc. Amdro Pro fire ant bait can be
used in grapes and blueberries when applied in bait stations. Other fire ants baits, such as Advion, Amdro,
Ascend, Award, Distance, Extinguish Plus and others, can be applied to home lawns adjacent to the planting.
Fresh bait should be applied when the ground is dry and rain is not expected, preferably for the next 24 hours.
Apply baits when fire ants are actively foraging, preferably when the temperatures are in the 70s and 80s.

See Fire Ants in Tennessee web site, http://fireants.utk.edu or the eXtension web site at
http://www.extension.org/fire+ants for more information on fire ant management.

8
 DISEASES OF TREE FRUITS
Steve Bost, Professor
Entomology and Plant Pathology

Refer to the manufacturer’s label and to the spray guides in this publication for information on chemical rates,
timing of sprays, resistance management strategies, preharvest intervals, and other restrictions.

Apple Diseases

Disease, Symptoms Control

Apple Scab Chemical*: The most effective materials are captan,

Velvety, olive-green leaf spots that later become Flint, Pristine, Indar, Inspire Super, Rally, Procure,
metallic black and may be puckered; leaves fall from Sovran, Fontelis, Merivon, Luna, and Vangard. Early-
tree. Fruit are scabby, deformed and cracked. season sprays are most important.

Cultural: Fungus overwinters on fallen leaves and fruit.

Rake up and destroy them. Plant scab-immune
varieties.

Bitter Rot Chemical*: The most effective materials are captan,

Small brown spots on the fruit enlarge rapidly Inspire Super, Merivon, and Ziram. Summertime sprays
becoming sunken and tan to dark brown. Concentric are most important.
rings of spores are sometimes present. The fruit
infection appears "V" shaped in a cross-section cut. Cultural: Remove mummified fruit, dead wood and fire-
blighted twigs. Removal of newly-infected fruit from
trees will aid in control.

Black Rot (Frogeye Leaf Spot) Chemical*: Captan is the most effective material. Tank-
Leaf spots are purple with tan centers. The 1/8 inch mixing with Topsin M improves effectiveness.
spots are referred to as frogeye leaf spot. On the fruit, Summertime sprays are the most important.
the lesions are dark, often black, firm and not sunken.
Infected fruit mummify and often remain attached to Cultural: Remove mummies, dead wood and fire-
the tree. blighted twigs. Destroy these prunings.

Cedar-Apple Rust Chemical*: The most effective materials are Indar,

Small, yellow spots develop on leaves in spring. Inspire Super, mancozeb, Rally, Procure, Fontelis,
These spots gradually enlarge and turn orange. Later, Merivon, Luna, and Ziram. Needed in springtime,
black dots appear in the spots on the upper surface, between early April and mid-May.
and tube-like protuberances on the lower surface.
Severe infection results in heavy defoliation. Fruit Cultural: Overwinters on cedar trees. Removal of
lesions appear near the calyx end and are similar to nearby cedar trees is helpful, but not always possible.
the leaf lesions. Consider resistant varieties.

Collar Rot Chemical*: Ridomil Gold EC applied to the soil will

Dark coloration of wood at or below the ground line in protect healthy trees and provide some relief to lightly-
the root-crown area, sometimes extending up the infected trees.
trunk. Leaves may be small and yellow in summer.
Symptoms are same for other root problems, and Cultural: Fungus is soil-borne. Select well-drained soil
isolation of fungus often required for positive for planting and request rootstocks with resistance if
diagnosis. collar rot is anticipated. Avoid MM 106.

10
Apple Disease, Symptoms Control

Fire Blight Chemical*: Apply streptomycin sulfate during bloom

Shoots blight from tip downward; leaves turn brown period only, every 3 to 5 days. Alternate with Kasumin
(apple) or black (pear). Shoot tip bends, resembling for best results. A late dormant application of a fixed
shepherd's crook. Blossoms wilt suddenly and turn copper spray or Bordeaux mixture is helpful.
brown. Limb and trunk blight occur when the infection Streptomycin sprays are not effective after the bloom
moves downward from infected shoots or fruit spurs period. Fixed copper sprays during the growing season
into larger branches on the trunk. are helpful, but are not recommended if fruit are present
because of the risk of russet.

Cultural: Plant resistant varieties (refer to SP277R,

"Fire Blight"). Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
applications. Cankers and blighted shoots should be
pruned out before the growing season begins. Refer to
SP277R for pruning procedures.

Powdery Mildew Chemical*: The most effective materials are Flint, Indar,
On leaves, the fungus appears as whitish, felt-like Inspire Super, Pristine, Rally, Procure,Merivon, Luna,
patches that spread and engulf the entire leaf. and Sovran. Topsin M and sulfur are also effective. The
Infected leaves are narrower than normal, folded and most important sprays are the springtime sprays,
stiff. Infected fruit have a netlike russeting. beginning at tight cluster.

Cultural: The fungus overwinters on buds infected the

previous summer. Many varieties are resistant.

Sooty Blotch and Fly Speck Chemical*: The most effective materials are Flint,
This condition does not harm the fruit, but is Sovran, Pristine, Topsin M, and Ziram. Captan is also
unsightly. Sooty blotch appears as superficial sooty or effective. Sprays are needed during the summertime.
cloudy blotches on the surface of the fruit. Fly speck
appears on fruit as sharply defined, black, shiny dots in Cultural: These fungi overwinter on twigs of many
groups of a few to 100 or more. woody plants. Apple fruit infections are most numerous
during the summer. Follow spray schedule and good
pruning practices to allow air, sunlight and spray
penetration of the canopy.

White Rot (Bot Rot) Chemical*: Captan is the most effective material. Tank-
Fruit rots show up late but develop rapidly, beginning mixing with Topsin M improves effectiveness.
as tan or red spots. In cross section, the rot is Summertime sprays are the most important.
cylindrically shaped, extending to the core. The rot
may involve the entire fruit and, on green varieties, is Cultural: The fungus overwinters in bark and in limb
tan in color with concentric rings. Branch cankers cankers. Fire-blighted branches can be readily
become tan to orange and papery. colonized by this fungus. Remove and destroy all dead
branches and twigs. Practice proper pruning.

11
 Peach and Nectarine Diseases

Disease, Symptoms Control

Brown Rot, Blossom Blight Chemical*: The preharvest and harvest periods are
The most noticeable phase is the fruit rot phase. critical. Beginning at two to three weeks prior to harvest,
Small, circular, brown spots enlarge rapidly and use a sterol inhibitor (Elite, Indar, or Orbit/PropiMax)
become covered with ash-gray tufts or spores. Fruit alternated with a strobilurin (Abound, Flint, or Pristine) or
shrivel and mummify. Shoots can sometimes become with a Group 7 (Merivon, Fontelis). Captan tank mixes
infected and die. Infected blossoms wilt and turn help prevent fungal resistance development.
brown. Homeowners can use Immunox plus captan.

Cultural: The fungus overwinters in mummified fruit and

in cankers. Remove all mummies and blighted twigs
from trees after last picking. Follow spray schedule with
emphasis on the preharvest period. Control insects that
injure the fruit. Keep fruit cool after picking.
Bacterial Spot Chemical*: The most effective materials are fixed
Leaf spots are small and brown, black or red, more coppers and Mycoshield/Flameout/FireLine. Chemical
numerous at the leaf tips. The centers of the leaf spots control is limited. The use of coppers after petal fall
fall out, creating a "shothole" effect. Infected leaves may cause burn.
may turn yellow and fall to the ground. Fruit
sometimes develop dark pits in the skin. Cultural: Use of resistant varieties is the primary method
of control, and is highly recommended. Adequate fertility
is important in minimizing the effects of this disease.
Peach Leaf Curl Chemical*: A single spray, using the correct material,
Infected leaves are thickened, curled and puckered will provide nearly perfect control, if applied before bud
and often flushed with red or purple. Affected leaves swell. After bud swell, the disease cannot be controlled.
appear in spring and drop from tree. The most effective materials are chlorothalonil, thiram,
and Ziram.
Peach Scab Chemical*: The most effective materials are Abound,
Spots on the fruit are small, dark and circular. These Adament, captan, chlorothalonil, Gem, and Topsin M.
spots usually do not begin to appear until the fruit are Begin sprays at shuck split and repeat every 10 to 14
well grown, and tend to be concentrated at the stem days until 40 days before harvest. The fungus
end. The skin may toughen and crack. Forty to 70 overwinters in twig lesions. Spores are most abundant
days elapse from the time the spore lands on the fruit two to six weeks after the shuck split stage of
until the spots appear. development.

12
 Cherry Diseases
Cherry Leaf Spot Chemical*: Apply captan, Gem, Indar, Pristine, Rally, or
Small, circular, purple spots on leaves. Only a few Adament, beginning at petal fall and repeating at 10-to
lesions per leaf can cause the leaves to turn yellow 14-day intervals until harvest. Rotate classes.
and fall. The fruit on trees severely defoliated by leaf Homeowners can use captan or Immunox.
spot fail to mature properly and are soft and watery.
Cultural: The fungus overwinters in infected leaves on
the ground. Rake and destroy fallen leaves.
Black Knot Chemical*: Apply captan, beginning at pink and
Elongated swellings or knots on limbs twigs or trunk. repeating at 10- to 14-day intervals until terminal growth
The swellings may be less than an inch to over a foot stops. Chemical control is only a supplement to the
long. Newly formed knots are greenish and soft but pruning practices below.
become hard and black with age. Affected limbs die.
Cultural: The fungus overwinters in the knots, and
spores are discharged from the pink stage of blossom
bud growth until terminal growth stops. Prune out knots
and destroy. Since the fungus may have extended
beyond the swelling, make cuts well below visible
infection.
Brown Rot, Blossom Blight See "Peach."
See "Peach."

13
 Pear Diseases

Disease, Symptoms Control

Fire Blight See "Apple." Also see SP277R, and avoid planting
See “Apple.” highly susceptible varieties.

Pear Scab Chemical*: Ferbam, Flint, Sovran, Pristine, Fontelis,

Caused by a different fungus from apple scab fungus. Inspire Super, Merivon, Scala, Topsin M, Vangard and
Symptoms are similar, but twig infections can also Ziram can be used on pear, and a regular spray
occur. schedule, as for apple, is needed for control. Mancozeb
can also be used, but not within 77 days of harvest.
NOTE: Captan is not labeled for use on pears.
HOMEOWNERS: Neither mancozeb nor 3336 can be
used on residential pear trees. Copper and sulfur
products are the only fungicides labeled for use on
residential pears.

Cultural: Rake and destroy fallen leaves, on which the

fungus overwinters.

Fabraea (Entomosporium) Leaf Spot Chemical*: The fungus overwinters on twig cankers and
Spots can occur on leaves, shoots and fruit spots are on fallen leaves. Mancozeb is the most effective
at first purplish-black dots, becoming circular, brown fungicide, but has a 77-day preharvest interval. Ferbam,
lesions about 1/8 inch in diameter. Flint, Sovran, Pristine, Topsin M, and Ziram are also
effective.

Cultural: Rake and destroy fallen leaves.

Plum Diseases

Black Knot See "Cherry." Avoid planting highly susceptible

See "Cherry." varieties such as Damson, Stanley, Bluefree and
Shropshire.

Brown Rot, Blossom Blight See "Peach."

See "Peach."

Bacterial Spot See "Peach." Avoid planting highly susceptible varieties

Can be a severe problem on Japanese plums; such as AU Frontier, AU Rosa, AU Rubrum, Frontier,
American and European plums are less susceptible. Methley and Santa Rosa. Some Japanese plum
See "Peach" for symptoms. varieties are resistant.

*Refer to the manufacturer’s label and to the spray guides in this publication for information on chemical rates,
timing of sprays, resistance management strategies, preharvest intervals, and other restrictions.

14
 DISEASES OF SMALL FRUITS
Steve Bost, Professor
Entomology and Plant Pathology

Refer to the manufacturer’s label and to the spray guides in this publication for information on chemical rates,
timing of sprays, resistance management strategies, preharvest intervals, and other restrictions.

Blackberry Diseases

Disease, Pathogen, Symptoms Control

Anthracnose (Elsinoe veneta) Chemical*: Apply Abound, Cabrio, Pristine, or captan
This disease can be severe on thorned before bloom and repeat at 7- to 14-day intervals through
blackberries grown in Tennessee. Leaf spots are harvest. Make no more than two consecutive
roughly circular with a light gray center and a applications of Abound, Cabrio, or Pristine before
reddish-purple margin. On the berry, individual rotating to a non-related fungicide such as captan or
drupelets become purplish brown and sunken after copper.
infection. They eventually become dry and scabby.
The most damaging phase of anthracnose in Cultural: Destroy nearby wild brambles. Plant in well-
Tennessee is the berry phase. drained site and allow good air circulation by spacing
plants and controlling weeds. Remove and destroy
fruiting canes immediately after harvest.
Cane Blight (Leptosphaeria coniothyrium) Chemical: No fungicides have been identified for this
Cane blight appears only on fruiting canes; purpose, but late-season applications of basic copper
infection occurs on primocanes near the end of the sulfate may be helpful. See label for directions.
growing season. It seems to be most severe when
drought stress occurs after widespread infections Cultural: See anthracnose.
take place. Cankers form on the cane, often at the
nodes, and extend down or encircle it, causing
lateral shoots to wilt and die.
Crown Gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Chemical: None is effective after infection takes place.
Wartlike growths (galls) appear on the roots or
crowns of infected plants. Gall may range in size Cultural: Obtain clean planting stock from a reputable
from that of a pinhead to several inches in diameter. nursery and inspect the roots and crowns for galls. Do
Plants are weakened and yield dry, poorly developed not plant in fields with a history of crown gall. Avoid
berries. Galls are caused by bacteria present either fields previously planted with brambles, grapes, tree
in the soil or on planting stock. The bacteria enter fruits or other highly susceptible hosts. The practice of
the plant only through wounds or growth cracks. mowing black-berry plants after harvest can cause crown
gall problems because of damage to the roots and
crowns.
Orange Rust (Kunkelia nitens) Chemical: Apply Abound, Cabrio, Pristine, or Rally
Orange rust can be a destructive disease trailing beginning in early spring and continue at 10- to 14-day
blackberries and purple and black raspberries. Most intervals until early summer. Homeowners may use
of the erect blackberry varieties grown in Tennessee sulfur. These fungicides will not help systemically-
are resistant. This disease is caused by a fungus infected plants.
that grows systemically through the plant. The new
leaves on infected plants are weak, spindly, and Cultural: Careful inspection in spring and immediate
yellowish. Later, the undersides of the leaves show removal of infected plants is the most important practice
visible orange, blisterlike pustles, which release for controlling orange rust. Dig up infected plants, roots
spores. Canes appear to recover in late summer, and all, and burn them. Once the spores are produced,
but are still diseased and will not bear fruit the they can cause new infections that may not appear until
following year. the following spring. Remove and destroy all nearby wild
brambles. Plant resistant varieties.
15
Rosette (Cercosporella rubi) Chemical*: Alternate Pristine with Switch every 10 to 14
Rosette, or double blossom, can be the most days from early bloom through harvest. If rosette blooms
destructive disease of blackberries if allowed to are still present after harvest, fixed copper or Bordeaux
increase after its initial appearance in a planting. mixture can be used, but can cause plant damage in hot
"Witches' brooms," broomlike clusters of foliage, weather.
arise from buds infected the previous year.
Blossoms borne on the bunchy growth fail to bear Cultural: Remove rosettes (infected blossom clusters)
fruit. Infected blossoms have elongated sepals and before they open. Use only roots, not plants for planting
wrinkled petals. These blossoms are the sole stock. Remove and destroy nearby wild brambles. Plant
source of inoculum, which infects new canes. resistant varieties.
Heavily infected plants are weakened and may die.
Sterility Chemical: None.
The cause of blackberry sterility is not fully
understood, but may be a virus. Affected plants Cultural: Remove and destroy plants that fail to set fruit.
grow vigorously, but they either fail to set fruit or Plant only certified, disease-free planting stock. Destroy
produce few-seeded berries. nearby wild brambles.

Blueberry Diseases

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes) Chemical: The spray schedule used for mummy berry
Also called "ripe rot." Infected berries remain control will help in controlling anthracnose. Include
symptomless until maturity, when the infected area Abound, Cabrio, Pristine, or Switch where anthracnose
becomes slightly sunken. Masses of salmon-colored problems are expected. Captan can also be used.
spores are exuded to the surface.
Cultural: Prune out and destroy blighted twigs, on which
the fungus overwinters.
Mummy Berry (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosil) Chemical*: Orbit, Tilt, Pristine, and Indar are the most
As berries approach maturity, they become light effective materials. Indar should be tank mixed with
pinkish to cream colored and drop to the ground as captan to prevent rots. Make up to four applications,
mummified fruit. Blighting of leaves, shoots, and beginning at green tip and repeat at 7- to 10-day
flowers can occur. The fungus overwinters on the intervals through petal fall. Do not apply Pristine more
ground in mummified berries. than twice consecutively.

Cultural: Where mummy berry is a problem, early spring

cultivation will aid in control by covering the overwintered
berries.
Stem Blight (Botryosphaeria dothidea) Chemical: None.
One or more branches exhibit yellowed or
reddened leaves, followed by death of the branch. Cultural: Pruning during coldest and driest winter
Stems show brown discoloration of woody tissue, months may reduce infections, since inoculum is at
often only on one side of the stem. Penetration into lowest levels during the winter. Avoid nitrogen
the plant is primarily through wounds. applications after June, to allow shoots to harden before
winter.
Twig Blight (Phomopsis vaccinii) Chemical: The spray schedule recommended for
Infection occurs in flower buds, and advances down mummy berry would help in controlling twig blight. Indar
the stem 2 to 6 inches, causing a dieback of the (plus captan), Cabrio, Pristine, and ziram are the most
flower bearing stems. The fungus overwinters in effective materials.
twigs infected the previous year. Cultural: Prune and destroy discolored twigs during
dormant pruning and summer.

16
 Grape Diseases

Disease, Pathogen, Symptoms Control

Anthracnose (Elsinoe ampelina) Chemical*: On anthracnose-susceptible varieties, liquid
Also known as "bird-eye rot" because of the dark lime-sulfur applied during dormant season is helpful.
margin around the gray-colored spot on the fruit, this During growing season, apply Pristine alternated with
disease is usually confined to certain highly captan. Other fungicides may be needed for other
susceptible varieties such as Vidal blanc. Numerous diseases.
spots may occur on shoots, leaves, tendrils, petioles
and fruit stems. Cultural: Destroy pruned canes and clusters during
dormancy.
Bitter Rot (Greeneria uvicola) Chemical*: Include captan, Abound, Flint, Pristine, or
Can be severe on certain varieties, such as Sovran in late-season sprays. Control is needed in the
Catawba. The fungus enters the berry from the weeks before harvest, but heed preharvest intervals for
stem, and a grayish discoloration of the berry begins the fungicides.
on the stem side. The appearance of tiny black
fungal fruiting bodies and a shriveling of the berry Cultural: Destroy prunings and mummified berries.
into a hard, dry mummy can cause this disease to be
mistaken for black rot.
Black Rot (Guignardia bidwellii) Chemical*: The most effective fungicides are Abound,
Very common and highly destructive. Berry Elite, Flint, ferbam, mancozeb, Rally, Sovran, and Ziram.
symptoms begin as light brown, circular spots which Captan is also effective. The key spray times are
rapidly discolor the entire berry. The berries shrivel immediately before bloom, at post-bloom, and 10 days
to hard, black wrinkled mummies. Leaf spots are later. Sprays prior to or after that period are also helpful.
reddish-brown with dark margins. Dark spots form
on green stems and tendrils. Cultural: Destroy prunings and mummified berries.
Crown Gall (Agrobacterium vitis) Chemical: None.
Knots form on roots, crowns and sometimes, on
canes. These galls may grow to several inches in Cultural: Plant winter-hardy varieties, avoid sites with a
diameter. The amount of damage to the plant varies history of crown gall and avoid injuries to the canes.
from none to death of the plant. Winter-injured vines
frequently become infected.
Eutypa Dieback (Dead Arm) (Eutypa lata) Chemical: No registered products protect pruning
Occurs only in older grapevines because infections wounds from infection.
develop slowly. Symptoms consist of dying arms
and yellowed, cupped leaves on new growth in the Cultural: Avoid pruning during and before wet weather,
spring. Leaves develop small necrotic spots and and make clean, close cuts to encourage callusing.
tattered margins. Infection occurs on trunk and main Identify infected plants in spring and remove and burn
branches through pruning wounds. Spores are infected canes when weather is not rainy.
present throughout the year.
Downy Mildew (Plasmopara viticola) Chemical*: Abound, captan, copper plus lime, Presidio,
Light yellow spots form on upper sides of leaves, Pristine, Ranman, Ridomil Gold Copper, Flint, Sovran,
and a white, moldy growth is very noticeable on the Tanos, and Zampro are the effective materials that can
undersides of the leaves. The affected leaves be applied in mid- to late-season, when downy mildew is
eventually become dry, brown and crumpled, and active.
fall. Defoliation can be severe on some varieties in
wet seasons.

17
Phomopsis Cane and Leaf Spot (Phomopsis Chemical*: Captan, mancozeb, and Pristine are the
viticola) most effective materials. Applications should begin
Infected leaves have tiny, dark spots and are shortly after bud break and continue through fruit set.
often puckered. Stems also show dark lesions.
Infected berries form tiny pimple-like structures on Cultural: Destroy prunings during dormant period.
the surface. These structures also form on the
stems, which often turn light gray to white in winter.
Powdery Mildew (Uncinula necator) Chemical*: Abound, Elite, Flint, Nova, Pristine, Procure,
This disease usually does not significantly damage Rubigan, Sovran, sulfur, and Topsin M are the most
the American varieties. However, many of the effective materials.
vinifera varieties show a high degree of
susceptibility. It appears as a white powdery growth
on the leaves and berry clusters. Severely affected
leaves turn brown and fall.

Raspberry Diseases

Disease, Pathogen, Symptoms Control

Crown Gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Same as for blackberry.
Refer to crown gall of blackberries.
Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) Chemical*: Apply Elevate, Pristine, Switch, Rovral or
In wet seasons, gray mold can cause a significant Ronilan at early bloom and full to late bloom. Additional
loss of flowers and fruit. Blossoms may show a applications may be made, as allowed by the label.
blasting that may extend down the pedicel. Infected
berries become covered with a gray, dusty fungal Cultural: See Septoria leaf spot, below. Also, avoid
growth. Mature berries are more susceptible than excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications. Pick fruit
young ones. Berries sometimes do not show gray frequently and early in the day as soon as plants are dry.
mold until after harvest; they can quickly become a Handle berries with care to avoid bruising.
rotted mass in storage.
Late Leaf Rust (Pucciniastrum americanum) Chemical: Nova, Abound, Pristine, or Cabrio may be
This disease can occasionally be damaging to helpful.
some varieties of red raspberries, although it occurs
late in the season. This rust does not occur on black Cultural: The single-crop system of producing
raspberries or blackberries. Small pustules filled everbearing varieties should help control, because this
with powdery yellow spores (not waxy like orange fungus is thought to overwinter on raspberry canes.
rust pustules) form on the underside of leaves.
These spore masses can also occur on petioles,
canes and berries. Badly infected leaves drop
prematurely.

18
Septoria Leaf Spot (Septoria darrowii) Chemical*: Apply Abound, Cabrio, Pristine, Rally,
This is one of the most destructive raspberry captan, Tanos, or fixed copper. A 10- to 14-day
diseases in Tennessee. Septoria can cause almost schedule may be needed throughout the growing
total leaf loss, especially on highly susceptible season, if weather conditions remain favorable for
varieties such as Bababerry. Heritage seems to disease (warm, wet).
have some tolerance. Leaf spots have a tan to gray
center surrounded by a thin, brown to purple border. Cultural: Remove and destroy fruiting canes immediately
The spots are circular and about 1/8 inch in after harvest. Keep the planting properly thinned and
diameter. Leaf spots caused by Septoria are similar control tall weeds.
to anthracnose leaf spots on raspberry or blackberry.
Septoria leaf spots have tiny, black fruiting bodies in
the center.
Phytophthora Root Rot (Phytophthora spp.) Chemical*: Ridomil Gold EC can be applied to the soil in
This disease is usually associate with heavy soils the spring and fall, and Aliette can be applied to the
or portions of the planting that are the slowest to foliage up to 4 times per year. These chemical controls
drain. Affected plants may show a general lack of are not very effective if the cultural controls below are not
vigor, or they may decline and die. The tissue followed.
underneath the epidermis on the main roots and
crown is a brick red (later turning brown), rather than Cultural: Plant only on well-drained sites. Planting on
a normal white. raised beds is helpful, and is important if drainage is
occasionally inadequate. Avoid planting highly
susceptible varieties.
Viral Diseases (Tomato Ringspot Virus, Mosaic, Chemical: None
Leaf Curl)
Virus diseases are a major problem in raspberries Cultural: Plant only certified, virus-indexed stock.
in the northern United States, but are relatively minor Destroy nearby wild or neglected brambles. Do not plant
in Tennessee, presumably because of a lack of the black or purple raspberries near red raspberries,
proper vectors (carriers). The viruses seen in because reds can tolerate mosaic and act as a reservoir
Tennessee are probably mosaic (a virus complex) of inoculum which will spread to the black raspberries, if
and tomato ringspot. the proper aphid species are present.

19
 Strawberry Diseases

Disease, Pathogen, Symptoms Control

Anthracnose (Colletrotrichum acutatum and Chemical*: Follow the gray mold program during bloom,
others) with captan or thiram added to each spray. NOTE: The
Fruit lesions are firm, slightly sunken, and may be strobilurins (Abound, Cabrio, Pristine) are limited to 5
tan, black, or natural color. Dark, sunken lesions applications per crop, either individually or collectively.
form on all stem structures: stolons, petioles, and For this reason, beware of using the strobilurins during
pedicels. Crown infections can result in the wilting bloom, in order tosave the allotment for the critical
and death of older plants. Daughter plants often turn harvest period. During harvest, apply captan, Switch,
dark and die before pegging down. Abound, Pristine, or Cabrio frequently, to control the fruit
rot phase. Abound, Pristine, and Cabrio must be rotated
with non-strobilurin fungicides. Control of the vegetative,
(runner) phase in matted-row plantings is difficult.

Cultural: Buy plants from anthracnoe-free nurseries.

Mulching helps prevent spread. Delmarvel and Sweet
Charlie have good resistance.
Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) Chemical*: To avoid resistance problems, choose any 3
A common fruit rot disease that can be very of the following 4 fungicides and apply them in any order
destructive in wet seasons. Gray mold often starts at weekly intervals during bloom: Elevate, Switch, Scala,
as a blossom blight and continues as a rot of green or Pristine. Another choice would be captan or thiram
and ripe fruit. Many fruit infections begin when the (no resistance management needed). Since thiram
fungus enters blossoms and remain latent until fruit provides deer and rabbit repellence, it would be
begin to mature. In wet weather, diseased plant preferable over captan where these pests are a problem.
parts are covered with fuzzy brown to gray masses Effective control of the berry phase depends on a good
of fungal spores. Berries become more susceptible spray program during bloom.
as they mature, and gray mold may continue to
develop after harvest, becoming a rotted mass. Cultural: Select a well-drained planting site. Renovate
matted-row planting properly to thin plants. Avoid
excessive nitrogen fertilizer rates. Mulch to reduce fruit
contact with soil. In plasticulture plantings, remove
winter-killed leaves before bloom period. Pick berries
frequently and refrigerate promptly.
Common Leaf Spot (Mycosphaerella fragariae) Chemical*: Apply Topsin M plus captan or thiram on
The most common strawberry leaf disease in susceptible varieties, beginning in early spring. Repeat
Tennessee; leaf spot can be severe on certain at 10- to 14- day intervals until summer. Also needed in
varieties. Most varieties show some leaf spot, but no fall. Rally is very effective, but is not as broad spectrum.
real damage. Lesions are circular, 1/8 to 1/4 inch in
diameter, and are purple with a white, gray or tan Cultural: Plant resistant varieties. Use certified plants
center. Favored by cool, wet weather. and select a well-drained site. Renovate properly to
avoid overly-dense plantings, and do not over-fertilize.
Leaf Scorch (Diplocarpon earliana) Chemical: Same materials as for leaf spot. Control
Round to irregular, purple spots up to 1/4 inch in needed during summer.
diameter form on the leaf surface. If the spots
become numerous, large areas of the leaf become Cultural: Same as for leaf spot.
reddish-purple to brown and the entire leaf may turn
brown and die. Not often seen in Tennessee.

20
 Disease, Pathogen, Symptoms Control
Leaf Blight (Phomopsis obscurans) Chemical: Same as for leaf spot.
Spots are often irregular in shape, brown with a
purple border, becoming large, V-shaped areas. Cultural: Same as for leaf spot.
Leaf blight is a hot-weather diseasel. Older leaves
may become blighted and die in large numbers.
Leather Rot (Phytophthora cactorum) Chemical*: Apply Ridomil Gold EC at fruit set, or Aliette,
This fruit rot occurs sporadically, but can Cabrio, or Abound at 7-14 day intervals, beginning at
occasionally cause economic losses. Disease bloom. Captan, applied as for gray mold control, is
development is very dependent on wet weather. adequate for light cases of leather rot.
Infected berries are light to dark brown, becoming
tough and leathery. In early stages of disease Cultural: Select a well-drained planting site, and mulch
development, infected ripe fruit are softer than to prevent fruit contact with soil.
healthy ones.

Powdery Mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) Chemical*: On susceptible varieties in perennial culture,

Particularly severe in greenhouses and in tunnel applications may be needed throughout the growing
production. Leaf edges curl upward, with reddish- season, beginning at early bloom. For plasticulture, begin
purplish discoloration. Patches of white, powdery shortly after planting in fall. Rally, Procure, Quintec, or
fungus mycelium may appear on leaves. Fruit set sulfur may be used at 14- to 21-day intervals.
may be poor and immature fruit becomes hard and
fails to ripen normally.
Red Stele (Phytophthora fragariae) Chemical*: Apply Ridomil Gold EC before bloom and
Red stele is not as common as it once was, again in the fall. Aliette can be applied when growth
because many of today's varieties are resistant to it. begins and repeated at 30-60 day intervals.
It is caused by a soil-borne fungus that is most
damaging in heavy, wet-natured soils. Plants first Cultural: Avoid sites having low-lying, clay soils. Plant
appear stunted and dull in color, then wilt and on raised beds. Purchase certified disease-free plants of
eventually die. Roots decay and show reddish or resistant varieties. Do not plant in fields with a history of
brown cores (steles). Roots become devoid of red stele. The causal fungus can remain in the soil up to
lateral rootlets, giving them a rat-tailed appearance. 13 years.
Verticillium Wilt (Verticillium albo-atrum) Chemical: Preplant fumigation.
This disease does not occur frequently on
strawberries in Tennessee. Most of the varieties Cultural: Adequate control can be obtained without
grown are resistant to it. This disease is favored by fumigation by planting resistant varieties and avoiding
cool weather. The symptoms are similar to those for sites planted to susceptible crops such as tomato,
red stele, except Verticillium does not cause red potato, eggplant, okra and pepper.
discoloration in the roots.

*Refer to the manufacturer’s label and to the spray guides in this publication for information on chemical rates,
timing of sprays, resistance management strategies, preharvest intervals, and other restrictions.

21
 Commercial Pecan Disease Control Guide
Steve Bost, Professor
Entomology and Plant Pathology

Time of Application Disease Product Choices Rate/acre Remarks

First Prepollination Scab, downy Abound 2F 12 fl oz/acre Do not make more than 2
When first buds have spot or Enable 2F 8 fl oz/acre consecutive applications of
opened. or Headline 2F 6-7 fl oz/acre Abound, Headline, Stratego,
or propiconazole 3.6F 4-8 fl oz or Sovran before alternating to
or Quadris Top 10-14 fl oz a non-strobilurin fungicide.
or Quash 50WG 2.5-3.5 oz Topsin M should be alternated
or Quilt 1.66F 14-27.5 fl oz with other fungicides.
or Sovran 50WG 2.4-3.2 oz/acre Note: No dodine products are
or Stratego 2F 10 fl oz/acre currently registered in
or Super Tin 80WP 5-7.5 oz/acre Tennessee.
or tebuconazole 3.6F 4-8 fl oz/acre
or Topsin M 70WP 1 lb/acre
Second Scab, downy Same fungicides as The first two sprays are very
Prepollination spot above. important for scab control.
14 days after First
Prepollination spray
First Cover Spray Scab, downy Same fungicides as If using Sovran, the rate
When young nuts first spot above. increases to 3.2-4.8 oz.
appear.
Second Cover Spray Scab, leaf blotch, Same fungicides as Sulfur (3 lb per acre) can be
2 to 3 weeks after first brown leaf spot, above. added to most fungicides for
cover spray. powdery mildew improved powdery mildew
control.
Third Cover Spray Scab, leaf blotch, Same fungicides as Apply cover sprays at 2-week
2 to 3 weeks after brown leaf spot, above. intervals in rainy weather, 3-
second cover spray. powdery mildew week intervals if dry conditions
exist.
Fourth Cover Spray Same as third Same fungicides as
2 to 3 weeks after third cover spray. above.
cover spray.
Fifth Cover Spray Same as third Same fungicides as
2 to 3 weeks after cover spray. above.
fourth cover spray.
Sixth Cover Spray Same as third Same fungicides as Do not apply fungicides after
2 to 3 weeks after fifth cover spray. above. shucks have started to open.
cover spray.

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 Homeowner Pecan Spray Guide

Time of Application Pest Controlled Pesticide Remarks

1st Spray - Budbreak Scab Thiomyl 1st Spray is key for

Phylloxera malathion, Merit 75WP, or Phylloxera control.
Merit 2F

2nd Spray - 14 days later Same as 1st Spray Same as 1st Spray Early sprays are key for
scab control.

3rd Spray - 3 weeks later Scab Same as 1st Spray Use insecticide only if the
Pecan nut casebearers, stated insects are present.
aphids and spittlebugs Merit not for pecan nut
casebearers.

4th Spray - 3 weeks later Scab and other leaf & Same as 1st Spray Use insecticide only if the
nut diseases stated insects are present.
Aphids, spittlebugs

5th Spray - 3 weeks later Scab and other leaf & Same as 1st Spray. Omit Use insecticide only if the
nut diseases fungicides if no nuts present. stated insects are present.
Aphids, spittlebugs

6th Spray - 3 weeks later Same as for 5th Spray Thiomyl if nuts present Do not apply Thiomyl after
plus fall webworm, malathion shucks have started to
shuckworm, & pecan carbaryl if history of pecan open.
weevil* weevil* *For weevil control, make
an additional application of
carbaryl between the 6th
and 7th sprays.

7th Spray - 3 weeks later Fall webworm, black malathion Merit can be used for black
aphid, and pecan weevil carbaryl if history of pecan aphid only.
weevil

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