The Latest Control Methods for Peach Tree Gummosis

Many diseases occur in peach cultivation, but today I will only introduce the most common one, gummosis. Gummosis does not only occur on peach trees; it also harms pear trees, plum trees, and other fruit trees. Growers of these fruits all fear gummosis, and the trees are prone to developing it. Once you understand the causes of gummosis and its pathways of infection, and then take targeted preventive measures, you no longer need to fear its damage.

I. Causes

Damage from various rot fungi reduces the tree's resistance and induces the disease. Or boring insect pests bore into the trunk, creating wounds that trigger gum flow. In addition, artificial wounds from pruning, freeze damage, and sunscald can also cause the disease. Water accumulation after rain and soil compaction can also lead to the occurrence of gummosis.

II. Symptoms of Damage

The disease mainly occurs on the trunk and branches. When the main trunk is affected, the phloem in the diseased area commonly appears dark, as if soaked with water, and some yellow sticky gum adheres around the diseased pores. Sometimes it is mixed with wood shavings from insect boring. As it expands further, a lot of transparent jelly-like sticky gum appears, which flows down along the trunk and then hardens, adhering to the bark. When branches are affected, the diseased area is less obvious, sometimes appearing like sticky gum growing out from the cortex. Mostly some transparent sticky gum appears at the diseased area; the gum is relatively hard and generally does not flow downward.

III. Control Methods

1. Cultivation Management

Focus on controlling pests and diseases, preventing strong light exposure, and taking cold-protection measures in winter. Apply more organic fertilizer and pay attention to maintaining tree vigor to enhance resistance. When pruning, be careful to avoid creating excessively large artificial wounds. After pruning, apply whitewash to protect the wounds. During normal times, frequently spray the tree with Bordeaux mixture as a protective agent to prevent disease.

2. Applying Medication

For fruit trees that have developed gummosis, first scrape off the diseased area, scraping off the phloem along with it, then use a 200-fold dilution of 50% Tuzet wettable powder to smear the diseased area. Tools should also be disinfected. Apply once every two days; with three consecutive applications, the disease will basically not occur.

3. Root Drenching

For severely diseased plants with heavy gum flow in summer, in addition to applying medication, root drenching can also be used for treatment. About two root drenches, once every ten days to half a month, decided according to the disease situation and weather conditions. The chemicals generally used are a 600-fold dilution of 50% ultrafine carbendazim wettable powder or an 800-fold dilution of 72% DuPont Curzate wettable powder.

There are many triggers for the occurrence of peach tree gummosis, and there are also many things to pay attention to, but as long as you manage meticulously, carry out timely prevention, and use the most effective chemicals, there will not be too much of a problem, and the disease can be kept under control.