3/13/2012

Conditions Necessary for Plant Disease

Diseases in the Garden

Adria Bordas Fairfax County Virgi nia Cooperative Extension

Pathogen

Susceptible host

Time

Favorable environmental conditions

'0

All three must come together for plant disease to occur

Techniques in Good Disease Diagnosis

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Living Pathogens:
o Fungi - 8,000 o Bacteria - 200-300 o Virus - 500+ o Nematodes - 500 o Insects-- Thousands

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Cl Cl

Use your eyes. Use a good hand lens. Look around: close up and far away Notice if it is only one plant family with problem or whole area Dig to look at the roots. Use a knife to look under bark.

Non-living Factors
o Nutrient deficiency o Water stress (too much or too little) o Temperature stress o Herbicide Damage o Prir Pollution/Ozone

Look at the pattern of symptoms for clues ...

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Random distribution of symptoms more likely to be caused by ..

a living organism (biotia:ause)

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Non-random distribution of symptoms more likely to be caused by:..

a nonliving factor (abiotic cause)

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Look at the patte~of levels ...

a Plant part a Whole plant a Whole planting

symptoms at different

Timing of symptom development can also provide clues ...

a Gradual onset/spread of symptoms usually indicates ...
a biotic cause

a Sudden onset of symptoms usually indicates ...

an abiotic cause

Look for signs of living organisms ...

a Fungi
--Fruitin bodies --Mycelium

Remember that decay organisms can fool you ...

Rusts April-rest of Season

a Rust Fungi: cedar apple rust galls are swelling at this time a Two hosts required by fungi to complete life cycle a- Mo~t common on apple, crabapple, and hawthorn a Spores wind blown a Plant resistant varieties

Discula Anthracnose
D

Attacks bracts, leaves, stems a Lethal to tree a Progresses from lower branches up a Favored by cool, wet weather a Problem in shaded, fog-prone
areas

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Control of Discula Anthracnose

[] Plant in full sun, water well n Fungicides:
Banner Maxx (propiconazole)

Anthracnose Controls
D

DaconilWeather Stik
(chlorothalonf]

Dithane (mancozeb) [] Resistance C. florida 'Appalachian Spring' C. kousa C. kousa X C. florida hybrids (Stellar series)

Do not fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizers. Use trickle or soa ker irrigation. Prune out infected branches. Rake and destroy leaves in fall.

Powdery Mildew of Dogwood

[] Dogwood powdery mildew less conspicuous than other powdery mildews [] More damaging than other powdery mildews
Reduction in root mass Stunting of tree Systhane(myclobutanil)

Early July-through
D

rest of season

[] Fungicides:
Immunox, Fertilome Systemic Fungicide

Powdery Mildews-600+ types Host range: Various herbaceous plants, crape myrtle, dogwood, sycamore, oak, lilac, phlox, grapes

(propiconazole) First Step(potassium bicarbonate) [] Resistance

Galls:
D D

A gall is an unusual growth, usually on the leaves and stems of various plants. They can be caused by insects, mites, bacteria, and fungi.

-Days are warm and humid, nights are cool -Good air circulation -Systernic fungicides are effective

Insect galls are formed the insects or mite release growth regulating chemicals as they feed and develop. The chemicals cause the plant to form a gall which provides a home for the developing insect or mite.

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Crown Gall
I:J Caused by a bacteria I:J Affects many different I:J Usually on trunk,

crown, or roots
I:J Poor growth I:J Avoid

types of plants

wounds

Black Knot Control

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Seiridium Canker of Leyland Cypress

o Drought predisposes trees to infection c Elongate cankers form on branches or trunk c Cankers bleed resin c Dieback may begin at top or bottom of tree c No Chemicals c Need proper watering

Infection occurs on wood of the current season's growth I:J Prune out affected branches 12 inches below the infection

Bacterial Scorch

Leaf spots and leaf drop

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Affects many tree species

o Transmitted by leafhoppers o Xylella fastidiosainhabits xylem and causesa

slow decline c Symptoms branches
Marginal Chlorotic

Cl

appear initially on individual

necrosis halo between brown and green tissue

Leaf spots and leaf drop during the later part of season Not a huge concern Clean up the leaves, often, no need for chemical Make note for next year.

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0_ No qhemical controls

c Oiseasei$ enhanced by drought.

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Cherries - Leaf Spots /Leaf Drop ~. Phytophthora

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and other Root Rots

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Leaf spots/Shot Hole Brought on by rains in April and June Fungicide sprays as a preventative Not much you can do in Aug. YES! It can weaken the tree

a Plants that are in water-logged soils due to over-watering or heavy rains are predisposed to infection a Moisture allows motile spores to move in the soil a Pathogen has a wide host range

Root Rots Cont...

a Roots often discolored a Use plant lab to diagnose problem a Treatment difficult soil drenches expensive a Prevent with proper plant selection and planting

Tomato Diseases
Most Common
Ones

Septaria Leaf Spot 5eptoria fycopersici

Early blight-Alternart'a solani

a Can infect plants at any stage during the growing season a Progresses rapidly after plants have set fruit-bottom leaves affected first then moves to upper leaves a Can survive in soils for 1 year

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Black specks in the centers 0 the spots [J De~oliation is severe w/ penods of prolonged warm, wet weather [J Management requires a combination controls [J Can survive in soil for 3 years

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Late Blight:

Pi?ytophthora infestans
Devastate tomato plantings D Common in periods of cool, rainy weather D water-soaked areas that enlarge rapidly D Gives the plant a frost damaged appearance
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Verticillium Wilt
D D D D D

Soil borne fungus Can survive in the soil for many years Lower leaves yellow and wilt Entire plant shrivels up and dies V-shaped lesion on the leaves

Veggie Disease Prevz ntion

o Good air circulation o Prune off disease and chlorotic leaves . o Water at the base of the plant/no overhead sprinklers n Increase organic matter to improve drainage o Maintain good soil fertilization and irrigation o 3 year rotation

Pest Management
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Records or history of the plant, so you will know what diseases to expect. Know the diseases common in your area. Watch the weather. Monitor pests Good sanitation

Weekly Pest Updates-Univ.

Maryland

Adria Bordas Extension Agent Horticulture Fairfax County

CI

http://ipmnet.umd.edu

(703)324-5369
abordas@vt.edu

Virginia Cooperative !lIJ VirginiaTech

Invent the Fvturo

Extension