Stone Fruit

Disease Management

Controlling diseases in stone fruit orchards can be a challenge in any environment, but particularly in a subtropical climate. Although most diseases can be controlled, growers must be vigilant and control the disease progression before an epidemic occurs.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques can be implemented with weekly scouting to aid in responsible chemical applications in both conventional and organic orchards. Listed below are peach diseases common to stone fruit production in Florida. Please use the most current Southeastern Peach, Nectarine and Plum Pest Management and Culture Guide when making decisions on when and what to apply for control of these diseases. Be sure to rotate fungicide chemistries to avoid the development of resistance in your orchard. The consequences can be severe, such as the loss of an entire class of fungicide for a particular disease.

In addition, be sure that you are calibrating your spray equipment properly. While small farms and orchards may be using backpack sprayers, large airblast sprayers are often used in larger orchards.

Calibrating and Using Backpack Sprayers - Oregon State University
Calibrating Airblast Sprayers - EDIS1435/AE238
Managing Pesticide Drift - EDIS PI232
Choosing a Nozzle Type - Virginia Tech University

Major Stone Fruit Diseases

Florida Production Practices - EDIS HS 1109/348; University of Georgia
This publication has information about the diseases listed below with specific relativity to Florida. The following publications are listed for additional information about disease cycles and control and are available in the Southeastern Peach Growers' Handbook; University of Georgia.

Peach Scab
- Peach Scab (UGA)
Bacterial Spot (MSU)
Rust
- California Publication on Peach Rust
Armillaria Root and Crown Rot (Oak Root Rot) (PSU and LSU)
Fungal Gummosis
Peach Tree Short Life (Clemson)
Phony Peach Disease (Xylella fastidiosa); Plum Leaf Scald - EDIS ENY-683/IN174
Brown Rot
This disease is usually not a problem in central and southern Florida, because April and May are normally dry months. Fruit is harvested by late May in central and southern Florida, thus infections on the fruit are not as large a concern as in northern regions.

Fig.1 - Young peach trees affected by Peach Tree Short Life (PTSL). Trees affected with PTSL are delayed in growth compared to healthy trees (right).

Fig.2 - Peach leaves affected by bacterial leaf spot symptoms. 'FlordaPrince' and 'TropicBeauty' are particularly susceptible, while new varieties are tolerant or resistant to bacterial leaf spot.
Photo forestryimages.org

Recordkeeping is an essential activity when managing your orchard, and the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services has provided a suggested Pesticide Recordkeeping Form:

Pesticide Recordkeeping Form

Organic Production

USDA Organic Resources - NEW!!!
Organic and Low-Spray Peach Production - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Low Spray and Organic Plum Production
Tree Fruits: Organic Production Overview

Diagnostic Services

Insect Identification Service

Sample Submission Form

Plant Disease Clinic (Florida Plant Diagnostic Network) Sample Submission Form (Gainesville)

Sample Submission Form

Plant Disease Clinic (Homestead)

Nematode Assay Lab (Gainesville)

Sample Submission Form