Australian Stonefruit Grower Magazine Issue 2 August 2016

News The threat of brown rot It may be a wet spring… By Oscar Villalta According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there is a 65–70% chance that many of Australia’s stonefruit growing areas will get above average rainfall in the next two months. W hile rain during spring is ideal for growers of other crops, such as vegetables or grain, it is bad news indeed for stonefruit growers. Brown rot, caused by the Monilinia sp. fungus, can infect fruit at any time. However, infection is increased if plant tissues remain wet for more than a few hours, and is most likely at flowering (if blossom blight is not controlled properly) and when fruit is very young. Injured, immature fruit is also very susceptible to infection. Although fruit is resistant to brown rot infection during pit hardening, susceptibility increases as harvest approaches. This season, for the first time, we are exporting nectarines to China. Brown rot is a key issue for China, making control of this disease absolutely essential. At this time we still do not have clear information about Chinese MRLs for fungicides used legally here, particularly 18 Australian Stonefruit Grower | august 2016 summerfruit.com.au

Australian Stonefruit Grower Magazine Issue 2 August 2016 | Page 18