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Shothole (Coryneum Blight)

Stigmina carpophila

35 host plants

Last updated

Data Coverage 4 of 6 dimensions
Causal Agent
Host Plants
Symptoms
Management
GDD Threshold
Regional Notes

You'll spot small brown lesions with shot-like holes on Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) leaves, especially on older foliage. This fungal blight shows up in spring through early summer during cool, wet weather. The disease matters because it can defoliate trees and stunt new growth. Prune out infected buds and twigs, rake fallen leaves, and avoid overhead watering. Sulfur or chlorothalonil applied at petal fall helps manage severe infections in cool temperate regions.

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
Stigmina carpophila
Host Plants
35

Management

Vulnerability Window

Chlorothalonil, IMMUNOX, or sulfur products can also be applied in spring when petals fall. | Do not apply copper fungicides in spring. | Chlorothalonil or sulfur products can also be applied in spring when petals fall.

Cultural Controls

  • Plant varieties such as 'Lovell' and 'Muir', which are reported to be blight-tolerant.
  • Prune and destroy dead buds and cankered twigs if present.
  • Rake and destroy infected leaves.
  • Avoid overhead watering.
Regional Notes

Several peach cultivars are not suitable for western Washington due to shothole disease pressure in the maritime climate.

Host Plants (35)

Prunus americana Wild Plum American (Red) Plum August Plum, Goose Plum Prunus armeniaca Apricot Prunus avium Sweet Cherry Prunus besseyi Sand Cherry, Western Sand Cherry Prunus blireiana Blireiana Plum Prunus caroliniana Carolina Cherrylaurel American Cherrylaurel Prunus cascade Prunus cascade Prunus cerasifera Cherry, Plum Prunus cistena Purpleleaf Sandcherry Redleaf Sandcherry Cistena Sandcherry Cistena Plum Prunus dream Prunus dream Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry, Wild Cherry, Quinine Cherry Prunus first Prunus first Prunus fruticosa Steppe Cherry, European Dwarf Ground Cherry, Mongolian Cherry Prunus glandulosa Dwarf Flowering Almond Prunus ilicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry, Holly-leaved Cherry Prunus lusitanica Portugal Laurel Prunus maackii Amur Chokecherry Amur Cherry, Manchurian Cherry Prunus mume Japanese Apricotc Japanese Flowering Apricot Japanese Flowering Plum Prunus newport Newport Flowering Plum Prunus okame Okame Flowering Cherry Prunus padus European Birdcherry Common Birdcherry Prunus prostrata Rock Cherry, Mountain Cherry Prunus sargentii Sargent Cherry, Sargent's Cherry Prunus serotina Black Cherry, Rum Cherry Prunus serrula Birchbark Cherry, Paperbark Cherry, Tibetan Cherry Prunus serrulata Japanese Flowering Cherry Prunus snow Prunus snow Prunus subcordata Klamath Plum, Sierra Plum, Pacific Plum Prunus subhirtella Higan Cherry Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry Prunus tai Prunus tai Prunus virginiana Prunus virginiana Prunus virginiana var. demissa Western Chokecherry Prunus virginiana var. virginiana Common Chokecherry, Eastern Chokecherry Prunus yedoensis Yoshino Cherry, Somei-yoshino Cherry, Tokyo Cherry