In chancre disease of stone fruit trees, the only healthy part remains are the roots. This disease is inactive during spring and summer but begins to grow in the colder months of winter and fall.
Symptoms of Bacterial Canker Disease in Stone Fruit Trees:
The symptoms manifest as green wilting and dieback of branches, production of suckers in dried areas, secretion of large, clear gum on branches and trunks, the appearance of necrotic spots on leaves during the spring infection phase, and the development of cankers in gummed areas. This disease can affect apricots, cherries, almonds, peaches, plums, and others.
Control Measures for Bacterial Canker in Stone Fruit Trees:
- Proper Nutrition: Since this disease occurs when the tree is weak, strengthening the plant can help prevent its onset.
- Irrigation Management: Adjust the irrigation schedule accordingly.
- Pruning: Remove infected branches and burn them outside the orchard.
- Treatment of Infected Areas: When observing infection, use a disinfected knife with 10% bleach to remove the canker area until reaching healthy tissue. It’s important to lay a bag around the tree while cutting to collect and burn the removed debris afterward. Afterward, apply a Bordeaux mixture (1 liter of Bordeaux mixture + 1 liter of water) to the trunk with a brush.
- February Treatment: In February, apply a Bordeaux paste (1 liter of Bordeaux mixture + 1 liter of water) to the trees until reaching the lateral branches using a brush.
- Pit Digging: Dig two pits at the base of the trees: the first pit should not have any soil or water, while irrigation should be conducted in the second pit, separated from other trees.
- Use of Potassium Phosphate Fertilizer: It can be applied once in the fall before petal drop, late winter before bud swelling, and in spring after petal drop.
- Pesticide Application: You can use oxychloride pesticide at a dosage of 3 grams per liter. Additionally, Elite pesticide can be applied as a foliar spray at a dosage of 2 to 2.2 grams per liter in early spring before bud swelling and in early fall.
Important Notes:
- Some brands of Elite pesticide can cause burning; it’s advisable to test on a small area first and use it only if no burning occurs after 22 hours.
- Using systemic guard pesticide (amino acids + copper compounds) before bud.
