Ficus Diseases
Gary W. Moorman, Professor of Plant Pathology
| Disease | Symptoms | Pathogen/Cause | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTHRACNOSE | Greasy-appearing spots yellow and then die and have a yellow halo. | Glomerella (Colletotrichum) | Avoid overhead watering. Apply mancozeb to protect healthy leaves. |
| BACTERIAL LEAF SPOT Ficus benjamina | Angular yellow spots are limited in size by veins. Spots become brown and leaves fall. | Xanthomonas campestris | Purchase plants free of the disease. Avoid overhead watering. |
| BRANCH DIEBACK Ficus benjamina | Leaves wilt, die, and fall. Small and eventually large branches die. Wood under the bark is black. | Phomopsis | Maintain even soil moisture. Prune branches when they are small. Protect plants from injury. |
| COLD INJURY Ficus elastica | Mature leaves have large brown blotches. Young leaves appear puckered or distorted and brown. | Temperatures below 40° F. | Management: Do not place plants near air conditioners. Maintain temperatures above 40° F. |
| FOLIAR NEMATODE Ficus elastica | Areas between the leaf veins yellow and die. | Aphelenchoides | Discard infected plants. Remove infected leaves from plants not severely affected and avoid overhead watering. |
| LEAF DROP Ficus benjamina | Leaves yellow and fall. | Low soil moisture and low relative humidity. | Maintain even soil moisture. |
Active Ingredients and Trade Names of the Chemicals
| FRAC Group No. | Risk Level | Class | Active ingredient | REI Restricted Entry Interval | Trade names (EPA Reg. no.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | 1 | Dithiocarbamate | mancozeb | 24 | Dithane (707-180), FORE (707-87), Pentathlon (1818-251) |
| manganese + zinc | 24 | Protect T/O (1001-65) |
Fungicides and Fungicide Resistance Management - Certain fungicides, usually systemic fungicides, are said to be 'at risk' to the development of resistance if they are used repeatedly. See the Risk Level in the above table (1 = low risk; 3 = high risk). The Fungicide Resistance Action Committee has developed a numbering system in which chemicals with the same FRAC Group number have the same mode of action (See http://www.frac.info/frac/index.htm ). It is recommended that chemicals at high risk be used sparingly and in rotation or mixed with chemicals with different modes of actions (different FRAC number).
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Notice: The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.
Warning! Pesticides are poisonous. Read and follow all directions and safety precautions on labels. Handle carefully and store in original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. Dispose of empty containers right away, in a safe manner and place. Do not contaminate forage, streams or ponds.
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