Root and collar rots caused by Phytophthora species, a soil pathogen affecting stone and pome fruits, can cause significant tree decline and losses. Periods of high rainfall and wet soils create the highest risk for Phytophthora.

Leading horticultural specialist, Grochem Australia, has added a new organic fungicide to its product range.ProBlad fungicide is now registered for suppressing brown rot and blossom blight in stone fruit, after demonstrating excellent fungicidal activity against a wide range of fungal diseases during the trial phase.

Veteran fruit grower Joe Giblett well knows the threat insects and diseases pose to successful orchard production.Born and bred at Bridgetown in Western Australia’s South West and having been by his father’s side in the family orchard since he was a nipper, today Joe manages the Red Moon orchard on…

Silver leaf occurs mainly on apples and stone fruit in all growing regions but is particularly common in areas that experience damp, humid conditions. Infected trees will develop a silvery sheen which is caused by light shining through leaf cells that are damaged by toxins produced by the fungus.

Below is an article from Northwest Cherry Growers, Yakima, WA about a virus of another kind—one that potentially can have a huge impact on cherry production.

As mentioned last issue, some hints on how to improve the crop disease situation are presented here.

Alternaria leaf blotch is characterised by irregular red–brown coloured lesions on the leaves. The lesions might expand under favourable conditions, followed by yellowing of the leaves and then defoliation of the trees.

Just when your cherry patch was looking magnificent, you turn your back and suddenly those healthy green leaves are not looking so good—they are full of holes, or looking a bit tattered.Shot hole, latent infections of bacterial gummosis and necrotic ringspot virus are three diseases that come to mind.

Summer trunk canker is more common during prolonged wet, windy spring and summer seasons on soils that are poorly drained.

The incidence of brown rot and blossom blight is related to temperature and duration of wetness.

Peach leaf curl is favoured by a cool and wet spring around budswell followed by warm, humid conditions, which bring about rapid growth.

While bacterial spot is more common on susceptible varieties grown in coastal areas, it is also becoming a problem in inland production areas.