Anthracnose and Bull's-eye rot
Neofabraea spp. (N
13 host plants
Last updated
Cankers girdle small branches while fruit shows target-like rot spots with concentric rings. This disease is worst in wet springs. Prune infected branches and use certified disease-free stock.
Reduce moisture around affected tissue by improving drainage and air circulation. Remove rotted material cleanly and dispose of it away from the planting area. Avoid wounding healthy tissue during cleanup, as fresh wounds create new entry points. If the problem keeps returning, evaluate whether the site is too wet or poorly drained for the species you are growing.
Quick Reference
Management
Additional Images Apple anthracnose in late spring and summerPhoto by: R. | Byther Apple anthracnose in late summer, fall, and winterPhoto by: R. | Spores mature in late summer/early fall and can spread by rain and wind to other parts of the tree o
High rainfall areas west of Cascade Range; cool, wet fall conditions; 8 weeks pre-harvest is peak fruit vulnerability; wet springs promote canker development and sporulation
Cultural Controls
- All apple cultivars are susceptible; avoid use of the highly susceptible cultivars 'Akane', 'Baldwin', 'Chehalis', 'Elstar', 'Empire', 'Gala', 'Gravenstein', 'Melrose', 'Sinta', and 'Spartan'.
- Prune out cankers and destroy infected wood.
- Canker removal should be done in dry weather year-round.
- To remove cankers, use a pruning knife to cut out the canker and several inches above and below canker margin.
- Remove all brown strands (infected tissue) found in the sapwood tissue.
- Sterilize pruning knife after each canker removal.