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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #370496
Research Project: Development of Knowledge-based Approaches for Disease Management in Small Fruit and Nursery Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit

Title: Boxwood (Buxus spp.)-Box Blight

Author
item PSCHEIDT, JAY - Oregon State University
item Weiland, Gerald - Jerry

Submitted to: Pacific North West Plant Disease Management Handbook
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/13/2019
Publication Date: 1/31/2020
Citation: Pscheidt, J.W., Weiland, G.E. 2020. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)-Box Blight. Pacific North West Plant Disease Management Handbook. p. 4B-56 to 4B-58.

Interpretive Summary: Boxwood blight is a serious disease of field and container boxwood in the Pacific Northwest. The disease is caused by the pathogen Calonectria pseudonaviculata. Boxwood with this disease show symptoms of leaf spots, defoliation, and black stem lesions. The pathogen is spread by rain splash on on contaminated equipment and clothing. Infected plants cannot be cured and must be destroyed. Cultural control measures include reducing the amount of water applied through irrigation and increasing plant spacing to promote drying. Fungicides are also available for protecting plants, but will not cure the disease once it develops.

Technical Abstract: Boxwood blight is a serious disease of field and container boxwood in the Pacific Northwest. The disease is caused by the pathogen Calonectria pseudonaviculata. Boxwood with this disease show symptoms of leaf spots, defoliation, and black stem lesions. The pathogen is spread by rain splash on on contaminated equipment and clothing. Infected plants cannot be cured and must be destroyed. Cultural control measures include reducing the amount of water applied through irrigation and increasing plant spacing to promote drying. Fungicides are also available for protecting plants, but will not cure the disease once it develops.