Anthracnose Control
Anthracnose is caused by a group of specialized fungi that cause brown, tan, or black splotches on young leaves and can eventually defoliate trees and cause cankers and dieback in branches.
Since these fungi are specialized, each species that causes Anthracnose is only able to infect a small range of hosts. A species of fungi that attacks Elm trees won't attack an Oak tree that is nearby.
Wet and cool spring conditions are favorable for this pathogen. Avoid overhead watering. Fungal spores can survive winter in leaves, twigs, fruit, and buds. Remove plant debris to prevent overwintering. Trees that have experienced Anthracnose infections in previous years should be monitored for symptoms each spring and treated with fungicides accordingly.
Controlling this pathogen comes down to preventative fungicidal sprays, cultural control, pruning, and environmental conditions and planting resistant cultivars.
Anthracnose leaf spots are caused by Colletotrichum and Gloeosporium. Many ornamental and vegetable greenhouse crops are susceptible, especially Cucurbits. Symptoms begin with small, brown spots on leaves and petals, eventually forming large areas of dead tissue. A diagnostic sign for anthracnose is the presence of pink to orange spores oozing from lesions.
Control options include Double Nickel, Guarda, Cease and Regalia
