Visual symptoms appear as reddish areas on newly emerged leaves. With time, swelling and leaf distortion occurs. As the disease progresses, leaves may fall and become replaced by a new set of leaves that could be healthier if a period of low humidity was present during their development.
The loss of leaves during springtime will result in decreased fruit production and defoliation and could expose branches to sunburn.
Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease that mainly attacks peach trees. Infections occur near the end of the dormancy period; the pathogen is present on branches, bark, and buds of the trees.
As the weather begins to change and flower buds swell, water splashes from irrigation or rain and causes fungus spores to reach the buds. That’s where the infection takes place—despite the fact that no green tissue is present.
*Names marked in red are considered to be highly poisonous to beneficial insects.
*Names marked in green are considered to be organic and IPM (integrated pest management) compatible.