Brown Rot is a fungal disease that most commonly affects stone fruit, particularly peaches and nectarines. It enters the fruit through bruises or damaged areas, which can cause fruit to fully rot within days and remain on the tree while shedding their spores until eventually becoming mummified.

It is recognisable by the distinctive brown pustules that form on the fruit, which then slowly rot on the tree. If the fruit is picked in the early stage of infection some of it may still be able to be eaten.

Spring is usually when infection starts, which can turn blossoms brown. It only takes a few infected flowers to infect a whole tree as the fungus produces millions of spores which are spread by rain and wind.

Prevention

To reduce the chances of brown rot badly affecting trees, keep trees healthy and well-fed. When pruning, prune to an open vase shape to allow more air to flow between the branches. When planting new trees allow plenty of space between the trees.

Spray with Yates Lime Sulphur after leaf fall and before new growth to kill any spores, spray all parts of the tree.

Thin out fruit as it is produced, clusters of fruit set close together will provide an ideal situations for Brown Rot to flourish.

Remove any infected fruit off the tree and the ground as soon as it is seen to avoid the spread of spores.

Treatment

Early application of Yates Nature's Way Fungus Spray while trees are still dormant (before bud burst) helps to prevent brown rot getting an early start. Spray again at petal fall, then repeat at 2 week intervals until harvest.

When using sprays and chemicals always read the label and follow instructions carefully. Spray in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.