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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #187247
Title: RELATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ORNAMENTAL PEACH CULTIVARS TO FUNGAL GUMMOSIS (BOTRYOSPHAERIA DOTHIDEA)

Author
item Beckman, Thomas
item Reilly, Charles

Submitted to: Journal of the American Pomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2006
Publication Date: 7/6/2006
Citation: Beckman, T.G., Reilly, C.C. 2006. Relative susceptibility of ornamental peach cultivars to fungal gummosis (Botryosphaeria dothidea). Journal of American Pomological Society. 60:149-154.

Interpretive Summary: Peach fungal gummosis is a debilitating disease of peach trees that can cause dieback and even tree death. Its unsightly appearance can render ornamental peach trees unusable in a landscape setting. This study is the first evaluation of the susceptibility of ornamental peach varieties to this disease. Significant differences in susceptibility were found ranging from high to very low. Ornamental varieties with superior resistance were identified that could be used in low, moderate and high chilling environments.

Technical Abstract: Peach fungal gummosis, incited by Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug.:Fr.) Ces & De Not., is an unsightly disease of peach trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] that depresses growth and can cause significant dieback and even tree death on susceptible peach cultivars. Little is known about the relative susceptibility of ornamental peach cultivars utilized in the United States landscape industry. Peach prunings ioculated with B. dothidea and placed on trellis wires served as an inoculum source which was delivered to the test subjects planted below via intermittent misting during March through June of the first year. Disease severity was evaluated at the end of the second growing season after visible symptoms developed. The thirteen ornamental genotypes tested separated into four distinct classes with White Glory, Jerseypink and PI091459 (Red Weeping) in the most susceptible, and Helen Borchers and McDonald in the most resistant classes. Trunk cross-sectional area at the end of the second growing season and relative growth rate during the second growing season were negatively correlated with gummosis severity.