Necrotic rusty mottle
Necrotic rusty mottle virus (uncharacterized)
38 host plants
Last updated
This profile contains verified disease data from extension databases. Regional field notes and expert review are in progress.
Cherry leaves develop angular purplish-brown spots about a month after bloom from a graft-transmissible viral agent. Symptoms appear erratically depending on climate. Use only certified virus-free stock for grafting. Remove and destroy infected trees if desired; management is usually unnecessary.
Removing trees with necrotic rusty mottle as soon as noticed has significantly reduced the disease's spread. Removal of diseased trees with rusty mottle when they are infected to the point they no longer can produce profitable crops.
Quick Reference
Management
Infection occurs at propagation stage through grafting with infected scion or rootstock material. Symptoms become visible about one month after bloom (June in PNW), appearing as leaf spots and continuing through mid-summer. Fall leaves show mottled coloration before premature drop. Once infected, trees remain infected for life with recurring annual symptoms. Branch and tree death may occur progressively over several years. Lambert cultivar shows severe impact with potential orchard loss. Source: PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook
Symptom expression is cultivar-dependent. Lambert is severely affected; Royal Ann shows no visible symptoms. Symptoms appear approximately one month after spring bloom as purplish to brown angular leaf spots develop. Environmental stress, water stress, or nutritional deficiency may influence symptom severity. Spring bud kill and irregular bud opening indicate systemic virus presence. Trees with weak vigor show more severe symptoms and branch/tree death. Source: PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook
Cultural Controls
- Plant and graft only with certified virus-free stock.
- Remove and destroy infected trees, if desired.