Disease Directory

    Phomopsis Blight and Canker

    Phomopsis spp., Diaporthe spp.

    Fungus
    Stems
    Leaves
    Fruit

    Overview

    A fungal disease complex affecting many woody plants, causing shoot blight, stem cankers, and fruit rot. Particularly common on junipers, blueberries, and eggplant.

    Symptoms

    Browning and death of shoot tips (tip blight). Sunken cankers on stems. Fruit rot with small, black pycnidia visible on lesions. Girdling of stems causes dieback. Yellowing and wilting above cankers.

    Environmental Conditions

    Humid

    Prevention

    Prune to improve air circulation. Avoid overhead irrigation. Remove dead and infected wood. Apply preventive fungicides during wet spring weather. Plant resistant varieties.

    Management

    Prune out infected branches during dry weather. Apply copper or mancozeb fungicides. Improve air circulation. Remove fallen debris. Fungicide applications during bloom for fruit crops.