Peach Leaf Curl

Peach Leaf Curl

Peach leaf curl is a fungus disease that, under the right conditions, can cause severe early defoliation and crop loss. The fungus is spread by rain. The disease is worse following cold, wet springs, and in cool, damp areas.

Susceptible Plants- Peach leaf curl affects peach, nectarine, almonds, and on rare occasions apricots.

Symptoms- in early spring new leaves thicken and start to twist and curl as the name implies. The leaves become yellow or orange-red in color. Red blisters appear in early summer .Leaves infected with peach leaf curl develop a pale bloom, turn brown and fall prematurely. Regular attacks will reduce vigor and the production of fruit. The appearance of the tree is spoiled as well.

Liquid Copper Fungicide $17.95

Disease Cycle- Peach leaf curl occurs commonly almost wherever peaches are grown, and overwinters as blastospores in protected crevices in the bark and around the buds. Primary infections are the most damaging and occur during the early spring from bud swell, when the bud scales loosen, until the first young leaves are fully emerged from the bud. Infections on young peach leaves occur at temperatures of 50 to 70 F (10-21 C).

Little infection occurs below 45 F (7 C). The incidence of infection is greatest when rains wash the overwintered spores into the bud and cool temperatures lengthen the time that the emerging leaves are exposed to the pathogen, before they are fully expanded and can resist penetration by the fungus. When temperatures following bud swell are warm and early leaf development is rapid, infections rarely become established, even when spring rains occur.

Prevention and “Control- Cover trees from mid winter to mid spring to prevent rain splash. Do not plant trees susceptible to peach leaf curl in cool, damp situations. Avoid sites near ponds. Pick off diseased leaves on sight. Keep trees well fed and watered to encourage the development of new healthy growth.

Fungicide Control- Spray with Liquid Copper Fungicide or Bordeaux Mixture just after autumn and again as buds begin to swell in late winter or early spring can curtail peach leaf curl.

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