Symptom Identification and Control Methods for Common Peach Tree Diseases

Peach trees are widely planted in China, and peaches are also a fruit deeply loved by the general public. They have a good appearance, plump and juicy flesh, and are rich in nutrients. However, during peach tree cultivation, many diseases can be encountered. If these diseases are not properly controlled, they can deal a devastating blow to fruit growers. So what diseases do peach trees have? Come with the editor and take a look at the control methods for these diseases.

1. Scab

Scab is one of the main diseases of peach trees. We have all seen scars large and small on peach trees; they are left by scab. It mainly occurs during the fruit ripening period from May to July, and is prone to occur in rainy and humid climates. It mainly harms the fruit and treetops. When the disease occurs, dark green lesions appear on the fruit, and the lesions constantly change as the fruit grows. When the fruit ripens, the lesions become dark purple or black, and the lesions become sunken. In severe cases, fruit cracking symptoms occur. After the treetops are infected, light brown lesions appear. As the lesions expand, the affected areas bulge, and gummosis also occurs.

Control methods: In winter, clean up infected treetops, clean the orchard, reduce pathogens, prune appropriately, and increase the ventilation and light transmission of the plants. When buds sprout, spray carbendazim, zineb, chlorothalonil, and other agents for a good preventive effect.

2. Anthracnose

Anthracnose mainly occurs during the rainy period in autumn. It is prone to occur during the young fruit stage of peach trees, and is more severe in warm and humid environments. It mainly harms the fruit. When the fruit is infected, water-soaked lesions appear on the skin. The lesions expand and turn reddish brown, the affected areas become sunken, and concentric ring-like wrinkles appear in the center. When humidity is high, a large number of sticky small dots are produced on the lesions. Finally, the fruit rots and falls off, or mummified fruit remains on the tree.

Control methods: Select varieties with strong disease resistance according to local conditions, strengthen fertilizer and water management, increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, improve plant disease resistance, pay attention to drainage and flood prevention, and reduce soil moisture. Thoroughly clean the orchard in winter, burn or deeply bury diseased branches, residual branches, diseased and residual fruit, and fallen leaves in a centralized manner, and bag fruit in time to control this disease. When the disease occurs, spray chlorothalonil, mancozeb, thiophanate-methyl, and other agents for control.

3. Gummosis

Gummosis is also one of the main diseases of peach trees. It can break out during periods of slightly higher temperatures. It mainly harms the branches and trunk of peach trees. When the disease occurs, small raised spots appear on the branches and trunk, and gummosis generally does not occur that same year. By the second year, these small raised spots rupture and flow out colorless, semi-transparent, sticky soft gum. Sometimes it also harms the fruit. After the fruit is infected, yellow gelatinous material flows out.

Control methods: Strengthen fertilizer and water management, improve the disease resistance of the plants, prune scientifically and reasonably, pay attention to flower and fruit thinning, reduce the load, and in the disease season, spray thiophanate-methyl, mancozeb, benomyl wettable powder, and other agents to prevent this disease. Note that agents should be used alternately to avoid the plants developing resistance, which would make the later disease situation more severe.

4. Mosaic disease

Mosaic disease is a disease of many plants and is quite harmful. Peach trees are mainly infected with this disease through grafting. In addition, aphids and mites can also spread this disease. After the fruit is infected, it grows slowly, the flesh is not sweet, and it has a bitter and astringent taste. After leaves are infected, some show mixed yellow and white colors, or regreen spots, and most show yellowing and curling.

Control methods: Promptly clean up diseased plants when found locally. In addition, strengthen pest control work in the orchard to prevent pests from spreading this disease on a large scale.

The above are the symptoms and control methods of common peach tree diseases. We hope this can help you. If you want to learn more about peach tree cultivation knowledge, please follow us.