Problem Identifier Unit Screen//v.w/ RR Template

Problem Identifier Unit Screen//v.w/ RR Template Leaf Curl

Problem
Leaves are puckered, thickened, and curled from the time they first appear in the spring. Emerging shoots are swollen and stunted. Initially the infected foliage may be pink or red, but frequently is pale green to yellow. As the season progresses, a grayish white powdery material develops on the leaves. Eventually these leaves shrivel and drop. Fruiting is poor, and the fruit that is present may be covered with raised, wrinkled, irregular lesions.

Analysis
This plant disease is caused by a fungus (Taphrina deformans) that attacks peaches and nectarines wherever they are grown. Infection occurs as soon as the buds begin to swell in the very early spring. Fungal spores are splashed from the bark to the buds by spring rains. Later in the season, the infected leaves develop a grayish white covering of spores that are blown onto the bark. Infected trees are greatly weakened by the premature loss of foliage in early summer. Leaf curl is most severe when spring weather is cool and wet.

Solution
Infected leaves cannot be cured. To prevent the recurrence of the disease next year, spray the trees with a lime-sulfur spray or a fungicide containing chlorothalonil in the fall immediately after the leaves have dropped or in the spring before the buds begin to swell, but before they open. If the disease has been severe in past years, spray in both fall and spring.

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