Disease · Almond
Fusicoccum canker: which trees have dry branches
Diaporthe amygdali
A fungus that forms cankers on the shoots and dries them out. We fly the orchard and mark trees with dry branches among the green foliage, so you can check them and prune.
We have not flown this problem ourselves yet. We work it out with you, on your field.
The problem
Shoots that dry out from the bud
Brown spots appear around the buds of the shoots, sink in and form cankers, sometimes with gum. Then the shoot wilts and the leaves dry out hanging on it. It also kills flowers.
It gets in during autumn through the scar a leaf leaves when it falls, and in spring through buds and flowers. A long period of leaf wetness favours it. Some varieties are very susceptible. Once it is established, it is hard to get rid of.
How it works
A flight to see the dry branches
1
We fly the orchard
At the end of spring or early summer, when the dead shoots stand out against the green foliage.
2
We send you the map
Trees with many dry branches; isolated shoots cannot be seen. With a standard camera we see the dry branch, not the canker, and other causes dry out branches too: you confirm on foot.
3
You prune
You remove the affected shoots in summer and winter pruning, and take that wood out of the orchard.
Where it shows up
Where it appears
- Almond
What farmers ask us
Fusicoccum canker: field questions
When does it get in?
In autumn, through the scars of falling leaves, and in spring through buds and flowers.
What do I do with the pruning wood?
Take it out of the orchard. The spores that infect the next season form in the cankers.
Do all varieties suffer the same?
No, some are much more susceptible. Before planting, ask about the susceptibility of the variety.
Know someone this would help?
Send them this page. If they have fusicoccum canker in their fields, you save them some searching.