Notes on Stone Fruit Insects & Mites - Pears
Fabraea leaf spot

Identification

Fabraea leaf spot, caused by the fungus Fabraea maculata, has increased in Ontario pear orchards recently. The disease is particularly severe in warm, wet and humid growing seasons after mild winters and wet springs.

Fruit and leaves are susceptible to infection throughout the growing season. In the spring, reddish-purple pinpoint spots appear on both the lower and upper surface of young leaves. The spots enlarge and become brown and necrotic, sometimes surrounded by a yellow chlorotic halo. Severely infected leaves turn yellow and drop prematurely. Sunken brown lesions may form on fruit and cause it to crack.

Period of activity

The disease overwinters on leaves and in superficial twig cankers. Spores are dislodged and spread by rain splash. Infections occur within 8-12 hours, depending on the length of the leaf wetness period and temperature. Lesions appear seven days after infection.

Management notes

Disease management is more successful when the primary source of inoculum is eliminated. In small orchards, leaves can be raked or removed from the orchard. For larger plantings, mow or chop fallen leaf litter to speed up the decomposition process and reduce inoculum.

There are no fungicides registered for Fabraea leaf spot control. Some fungicides used to control pear scab help suppress this disease.

Learn more...

• OMAFRA Publication 360 Tender Fruit Calendar
  • Apricot Calendar
  • Peach Calendar
    
  • Pear Calendar
    
  • Plum Calendar
    
  • Sour Cherry Calendar
    
  • Sweet Cherry Calendar
• OMAFRA Publication 360 Fruit Production Recommendations
• OMAFRA Tender Fruit Index page

  
  

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