Phomopis Canker

Phomopis Canker– plant disease Common name Phomopis canker Diaporthe stem canker Dieback Causal agent Phomopis canker is a fungal disease caused by fungi belonging to the genus Diaporthe. It mainly attacks the conifers and woody trees, killing smaller branches on the lower portion of the plant first. Scientific name Phomopsis spp. Symptoms & Signs Phomopis canker disease symptoms include browning and wilting of the leaves as well as dieback and blight in shoots. Abnormal, tumor-like, sunken cankers with sharply defined borders appear on infected shoots, which may ooze sap or resin. The vascular tissue under the cankers turns reddish-brown, causing the death of some parts of the canopy or the entire plant. Stressed or weak plants are more prone to the infection; hence, the disease usually emerges during unfavorable conditions such as drought. Transmission It is transmitted through spores produced in fruiting bodies called conidia. The spores spread to healthy plants by means of irrigation water, rain, wind, and infected tools. They enter the plant through open wounds. The spores grow best in wet, cool, and shady conditions, with temperatures between 59°F-75°F. Time of concern Early spring to winter Common hosts Juniper Red cedar Almond Cypress Grape Honeysuckle Walnut Oak