Disease Descriptions and Management
Peach anthracnose, often called ripe rot, is usually rare and considered a minor disease of peaches.
Bacterial canker of stone fruit is caused by the two related bacterial species, Pseudomonas syringae and P. morsprunorum.
Peach scab is an important disease of peach and nectarines and can be extremely damaging in warm, humid areas especially in the southeastern United States. The disease appears to affect all cultivars of peach and is known to occur on nectarines, plums and apricots as well.
Prunus stem pitting is an important disease of all stone fruits. It is also called prune brownline and constriction disease. Apple union necrosis and decline is caused by the same virus and nematode vector as is Prunus stem pitting.
Rusty spot of peach is characterized by the presence of rust-colored spots that can cover the entire surface of the fruit. The cause of rusty spot is uncertain, although many plant pathologists believe it to be the apple powdery mildew fungus, Podosphaera leucotricha. Many observations have shown that peach orchards with rusty spot are usually next to apple orchards that are infected with powdery mildew.
