Notes on Blueberry Diseases
Anthracnose fruit rot

Identification

Anthracnose fruit rot is a common fruit rot on blueberries. This disease is also known as ripe rot because it appears during or after harvest. Anthracnose causes the blossom end of ripe fruit to soften. Frequently, orange spore masses seep out of the infected area.

Anthracnose fruit rot

Period of activity

The disease overwinters in infected twigs. Spores are spread by rain that splashes to bloom and green fruit. Infected green fruit does not show symptoms until it ripens. The disease increases with prolonged periods of warm wet weather during bloom and just before harvest.

Management notes

Overhead irrigation facilitates spore dispersal and infection. Manage the disease by pruning to encourage air movement within the bush and to reduce overwintering inoculum. Fungicides applied before bloom and at petal fall reduce overwintering inoculum and twig blights. After petal fall, fungicides for fruit rot suppress, but do not control, this disease. See OMAFRA Publication 360 Blueberry Calendar.

Learn more...

• Notes on Blueberry Diseases and Insects
• OMAFRA Publication 360 Blueberry Calendar
• OMAFRA Publication 360 Fruit Production Recommendations
• OMAFRA Berry Crops Index page
• Michigan Blueberry Facts - Anthracnose
  

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