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Peach Brown Rot: A Common Problem and How to Control It
What is Peach Brown Rot?
Peach brown rot is a fungal infection that can ruin your peach harvest. It’s caused by a fungus called Monilinia fructicola. The fungus infects peach trees in two ways:
- During blossoming: The fungus infects the flowers, causing them to develop brown spots and die quickly. You may also see dusty fungal growth on the dead flowers and cankers (sores) on the twigs.
- During fruit ripening: The fungus can also infect peaches as they ripen, especially if there was fungal growth on the flowers and twigs earlier in the season. Infected peaches will develop brown spots that spread rapidly, rotting the entire fruit in just a few days. Eventually, the peach will shrivel up and fall to the ground.
How to Control Peach Brown Rot
There are several things you can do to control peach brown rot and protect your harvest:
1. Use Fungicides
Fungicides can be used to treat brown rot on peach trees. Myclobutanil and Captan are two commonly used fungicides.
2. Preventative Measures
- Avoid overhead watering: Water on the petals and twigs can help the fungus spread. Instead, water at the base of the tree.
- Thin your trees: Good airflow helps the trees dry out after rains, which makes it harder for the fungus to grow.
- Remove infected fruit: Any fruit that shows signs of brown rot should be removed from the tree and destroyed.
- Clean up your orchard: In the fall, after harvesting your peaches, clean up any fallen fruit and remove any diseased twigs.
- Control wild plums: Wild plums can be a source of brown rot infection. If you have wild plums near your orchard, remove them to reduce the risk of infection.
3. Other Control Methods
- Water bath treatment: Studies have shown that immersing infected peaches in water at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 60 seconds can significantly reduce decay.
- Cold storage: Store peaches in cold temperatures to slow down the growth of the fungus.
Tips for Identifying and Managing Peach Brown Rot
- Look for brown spots on the flowers, twigs, and fruit.
- Check for dusty fungal growth on dead flowers and cankers.
- Remove and destroy any infected fruit or twigs.
- Keep your trees well-maintained with good airflow and drainage.
- Avoid overwatering, especially during the spring when the trees are blossoming.
- If you have a history of brown rot in your orchard, consider using fungicides as a preventative measure.
By following these tips, you can help control peach brown rot and protect your peach harvest.
