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Peach Leaf Curl
Causal agent: Taphrina deformans
Peach leaf curl is a fungus disease that appears in the spring on peach and
nectarine if there has been prolonged wet weather just as new growth is
developing. Infected leaves become thick, curled and discoloured and eventually
drop. Heavy leaf infection and subsequent leaf drop may reduce crop and tree
vigour. Only developing leaves are susceptible, therefore it is essential that
fungicides be applied before the buds break. Control measures are of no value
after the disease becomes evident.
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Peach leaf curl |
Chemical Control
- Good control may be obtained with a dormant spray of ferbam, Bravo 500 (chlorothalonil)
or lime-sulphur before bud development begins in the spring.
- A spray of fixed copper applied after harvest in September will give
adequate control of peach leaf curl in most years. However, in wet years the
late winter dormant spray listed above is also needed. Bravo 500 may also be
applied as a fall dormant spray at 75-100% leaf drop. Note: Do not exceed 3
Bravo applications per year.
Cultural Control
- No variety is immune to leaf curl, but Redhaven and most varieties derived
from Redhaven have some tolerance.
- Sanitation is not effective for control of leaf curl
- Sheltering peach and nectarine trees from the rain may reduce disease
severity on backyard trees.
February 2004
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