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    Peach Leaf Curl

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    mdoll
    Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease that affects peach tree foliage early in the growing season. The disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Infected leaves become distorted, thickened and curled. If left uncontrolled, peach leaf curl can reduce tree vigor and increase the risk of winter damage. The disease can be prevented by applying fungicide sprays in late fall or late winter before bud swell occurs in the spring. Proper timing of preventative sprays is critical for control of peach leaf curl.

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    Peach Leaf Curl

    Uploaded by

    mdoll
    132 views3 pages
    Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease that affects peach tree foliage early in the growing season. The disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Infected leaves become distorted, thickened and curled. If left uncontrolled, peach leaf curl can reduce tree vigor and increase the risk of winter damage. The disease can be prevented by applying fungicide sprays in late fall or late winter before bud swell occurs in the spring. Proper timing of preventative sprays is critical for control of peach leaf curl.

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    Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease that affects peach tree foliage early in the growing season. The disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Infected leaves become distorted, thickened and curled. If left uncontrolled, peach leaf curl can reduce tree vigor and increase the risk of winter damage. The disease can be prevented by applying fungicide sprays in late fall or late winter before bud swell occurs in the spring. Proper timing of preventative sprays is critical for control of peach leaf curl.

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    132 views3 pages

    Peach Leaf Curl

    Uploaded by

    mdoll
    Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease that affects peach tree foliage early in the growing season. The disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Infected leaves become distorted, thickened and curled. If left uncontrolled, peach leaf curl can reduce tree vigor and increase the risk of winter damage. The disease can be prevented by applying fungicide sprays in late fall or late winter before bud swell occurs in the spring. Proper timing of preventative sprays is critical for control of peach leaf curl.

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    of 3

    BP-54

    Peach Leaf Curl


    Paul C. Pecknold, Extension Plant Pathologist

    Peach leaf curl is one of the most gray and develops a powdery appear-
    common and widespread diseases ance. Dry weather soon withers the
    affecting peach plantings in the leaves causing them to fall early.
    United States. Recognized as a However, cool weather delays defolia-
    common peach trouble since 1821, tion.
    it occurs in almost every region Young infected peach fruits become
    where peaches are grown. It has distorted and seldom remain on the tree
    been known by names such as, very long. Infected fruits show
    curly leaf, curly blight, and leaf irregular, swollen, colored areas on
    blister. their surfaces. These areas are usually
    Although peach leaf curl is wrinkled, without the normal peach
    primarily a foliage disease, it also fuzz, and look like they have been
    may affect blossoms, young twigs, polished.
    and fruit. The disease causes loss of
    foliage early in the summer. This
    stimulates the affected tree to Cause
    produce another crop of leaves, Peach leaf curl is caused by the
    resulting in decreased tree vigor. fungus Taphrina deformans. Spores of
    Lowered tree vigor usually in-
    Fruit Diseases creases the danger of winter injury.

    Symptoms
    Peach leaf curl is first noticed
    early in the spring when leaves start
    to unfold. Diseased leaves are
    noticeably red and soon become
    distorted, thickened, and greatly
    curled as they develop. When
    diseased leaves are fully developed,
    they are lighter colored than
    normal; frequently flushed with red;
    and greatly curled, puckered, and
    distorted (Figure 1).
    Purdue University
    Cooperative Extension Service Leaves infected with leaf curl are
    also thicker than normal leaves and
    have a firm and leathery consis-
    tency. The entire leaf or any portion
    of it may become infected. A few or
    nearly all of the leaves on a tree
    may fall, depending upon the
    severity of the attack. As the
    growing season advances, the upper Figure 1. Typical peach leaf curl symptoms;
    surface of diseased leaves turns notice the curling and puckering.
    the fungus are produced on the Fungicides registered for control of
    peach leaf curl include liquid lime- References to products in this
    surface of diseased leaves in
    sulfur, chlorothalonil (Daconil, publication is not intended to
    midsummer and give the leaf the
    Bravo 720), ferbam, and copper- be an endorsement to the
    powdery appearance previously
    based fungicides (numerous trade exclusion of others which may
    described. These spores are spread
    names are available) including be similar. Persons using such
    to all parts of the tree by winds and
    Bordeaux mixture. Follow all label products assume responsibility
    rains, becoming lodged under bud
    instructions regarding amounts of for their use in accordance
    scales and rough bark, and here they
    pesticide to use, method of applica- with current label directions of
    remain throughout the summer and
    tion, and safety warnings. the manufacturer.
    winter months. In the spring, when
    the young peach buds begin to If a dormant spray has been
    swell, germinating spores of the neglected, and disease develops,
    fungus penetrate the young leaves, the fruit on affected trees should be
    causing leaf curl infection. thinned to compensate for the loss
    of leaves. In addition, fertilize and
    water trees to help maintain tree
    Management vigor—and be sure to get a leaf
    Peach leaf curl can be prevented curl spray on next year!
    by a single spray application made
    in late fall, after leaf drop, or in late
    winter, BEFORE bud swell. It is
    critical that trees be sprayed before
    buds begin to swell! If buds have
    begun to swell or open, it is too late
    to obtain satisfactory control of
    peach leaf curl as infection has
    already occurred. Control is impos-
    sible once symptoms are visible.

    Rev 6/96 (2M)


    This material may be available in alternative formats.
    Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, state of Indiana, Purdue University, and U.S. Department of Agriculture
    cooperating; H. A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. The Purdue
    University Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access institution.
    3

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