Gummy Stem Blight (Vine Decline)

Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum (syn. Didymella bryoniae)

1 host plant

Last updated

Data Maturity Baseline

This profile contains verified disease data from extension databases. Regional field notes and expert review are in progress.

Magnolia shows cankers and stem gumming, with vascular streaking and general vine decline. This fungal disorder causes various symptoms depending on the pathogen involved. Use resistant rootstocks, avoid injuring trees, manage irrigation carefully, and select trees from clean nursery stock for best results.

Remove blighted tissue promptly, cutting well below visible symptoms. Improve air circulation by thinning dense growth. Avoid overhead watering, especially during bloom and new growth periods when tissues are most susceptible. For recurring problems, preventive fungicide applications timed to protect new growth can reduce infection, but cultural controls should be your first approach.

Quick Reference

Causal Agent
Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum (syn. Didymella bryoniae)
Host Plants
1

Management

Cultural Controls

  • Use resistant or tolerant rootstocks.
  • Remove infected vines from nurseries and young plantings.
  • Practice good sanitation by removing and destroying infected plant debris.
  • Avoid overhead irrigation; use drip irrigation when possible.
  • Prune and destroy affected canes.
  • Sterilize pruning tools between cuts.

Host Plants (1)