PEACH RUST
ALERT
Cankers with rust spores were found
by a local PCA on April 5, 2006 on Halford in the Hallwood area. They were
positively identified on April 12 by UC Riverside Plant Pathologist
WATERLOGGING/PHYTOPHTHORA
The other concern now with our
saturated soils, especially as the weather warms up, is the possibility of
Phytophthora root or crown rot
diseases and/or waterlogging damage. USDA Plant Pathologist Greg Browne from UC
Davis, has researched the effects of phosphonate treatments on walnuts and
almonds. Phosphonates (inorganic and organic salts of phosphonic acid, the
active ingredient) can provide systemic activity against water mold fungi and
have helped manage diseases caused by Phytophthora. They are translocated both
upward and downward in the plant; the mode of action is complex and not
completely understood, but evidence suggests that phosphonic acid disrupts the
growth of Phytophthora and
increases the plant’s defenses.
There are several phosphonate
products available on the market.
Dr. Brown found that using Fosphite®
applied in late summer/early fall as either a foliar spray or foliar +
phosphonate chemigation on walnut reduced the area of cankers caused by P. citricola compared to the untreated
control trees. In another study on almonds, he found that using Nutri-Phite®P+K
applied as a preventative foliar spray in the fall or spring suppressed
development of Phytophthora
cankers for up to 5 months. Considering the saturation of our soils,
you may want to consider applying a phosphonate product on your tree crop this
spring. Make sure to check the label because tank mixing with copper may result
in phytotoxicity.
Janine
Hasey
Farm Advisor, Sutter and
Phone (530)
822-7515
FAX (530)
673-5368