Almond pruning wounds, bark abrasions susceptible to Ceratocystis

In the past, pruning wounds were not regarded as potential infection sites. However, in a 2-year study, pruning cuts inoculated immediately or at intervals up to 14 days were found to be susceptible to Ceratocystis canker from September through February. Broken, dead or living twigs became infected throughout the year when inoculated with the fungus

Almond Leaf Scorch

Almond leaf scorch is a bacterial disease that kill otherwise healthy trees — or, if undetected and untreated, entire orchards — within just a few years. Learn to recognize the disease and take action early to save your trees and your livelihood

Almond Leaf Scorch

Almond leaf scorch is a bacterial disease that kill otherwise healthy trees — or, if undetected and untreated, entire orchards — within just a few years. Learn to recognize the disease and take action early to save your trees and your livelihood

Shot hole encourages almond drop, doesn't harm kernels

Severe spring outbreaks of shot hole disease are often accompanied by leaf fall and fruit drop. Although fruit are shed in response to defoliation, the direct effect of shot hole infection on developing fruit was not known. When fruit at various stages of development were inoculated with high concentrations of the shot hole pathogen, very young and midsized fruit fell, whereas older fruit were retained. Typical shot hole lesions developed on midsized fruit, and full-sized fruit became resistant to infection when embryo development began. Infection did not affect kernel weight, but caused a slight, economically unimportant reduction in kernel length

Apple russetting influenced by more than copper sprays

Apple trees are commonly treated with antibiotics during bloom and early shoot growth to control fire-blight, but antibiotic resistance is a concern. To prevent antibiotic resistance, copper treatments may be beneficial, but would be feasible only if stages in bloom or fruit development could be identified that are not subject to fruit russetting. Most fruit russetting results from injury to epidermal cells early in fruit development. Studies in Kern and San Joaquin counties showed copper-induced russetting of apple fruit was unpredictable and sporadic regardless of application timing. Severity of damage varied from year to year

Reduced-risk fungicides help manage brown rot and other fungal diseases of stone fruit

New reduced-risk fungicides are highly effective in managing both pre- and postharvest diseases of stone fruit crops in California, and they have replaced most previously registered materials. These fungicides have a low impact on the environment, high specificity to target organisms, and low potential for groundwater contamination and human health risks. In stone fruit, they can be successfully used to manage brown rot blossom blight in a new delayed-bloom fungicide application program for lowprecipitation years. In our studies, we found that fungicide treatments applied 1 to 14 days before harvest were also effective against preharvest brown rot and protected fruit from fungal decays initiated during harvest. Practices such as mixtures and rotations can be implemented to prevent resistance from developing and to ensure the lasting efficacy of these reduced-risk fungicides

Reduced-risk fungicides help manage brown rot and other fungal diseases of stone fruit

New reduced-risk fungicides are highly effective in managing both pre- and postharvest diseases of stone fruit crops in California, and they have replaced most previously registered materials. These fungicides have a low impact on the environment, high specificity to target organisms, and low potential for groundwater contamination and human health risks. In stone fruit, they can be successfully used to manage brown rot blossom blight in a new delayed-bloom fungicide application program for low-precipitation years. In our studies, we found that fungicide treatments applied 1 to 14 days before harvest were also effective against preharvest brown rot and protected fruit from fungal decays initiated during harvest. Practices such as mixtures and rotations can be implemented to prevent resistance from developing and to ensure the lasting efficacy of these reduced-risk fungicides