Diseases of Fruit Plantation Medicinal and Aromatic Crops

California peach blight

Causal organism: Stigmina carpophila
Symptoms

• The pathogen attacks twigs, blossoms, leaves, fruits and unopened buds.
• Small, circular, deep purple spots appear on the fruit.
• The spots become raised and rough.
• Dark brown, scattered lesions enlarge rapidly on the leaves.
• The diseased buds become dark in colour.
• Small, purplish, raised spots appear on twigs and they expand in to necrotic cankers.
Epidemiology

• Rise in day temperature and prolonged winter rains are conducive for the epiphytotic proportions of the disease.
• Primary source of inoculum: Dormant mycelia survive on the infected plant parts.
• Secondary source of inoculum: Rain water splash and air borne conidia.
MANAGEMENT

• Cut and burn the infected plant part.
• Spray capton (0.2%) or captafol ( 0.2%)