Shothole is a fungal disease typically attacking buds, twigs, and fruit. Infected buds are killed and covered with a shiny, gummy material. Twigs develop small, raised purplish areas which later become elongate brown or black cankers. Twig lesions often begin at infected buds and may girdle twigs. Lesions on leaves and fruit are initially small purplish areas which expand into brown spots with light centers. The lesions are typically up to 1/4" in diameter. Infected areas on leaves often die and drop out in warm weather, giving leaves the characteristic "shothole" appearance of the disease. The fungus overwinters in cankers. Spores are easily spread by water. Shothole occurs on many species of stone fruits.

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

Plant varieties such as 'Lovell' and 'Muir', which are reported to be blight-tolerant. These varieties may not be suitable for western Washington.
Prune and destroy dead buds and cankered twigs if present.
Rake and destroy infected leaves.
Avoid overhead watering.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

Apply at leaf fall in late fall before heavy rains (except sulfur). Apply in spring when petals fall (except copper). Do not apply copper fungicides in spring. NOTE: Bonide Fung-onil is for spring use only. Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall. Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.

Bonide Copper Fungicide Spray or Dust RTU [Organic]
Active ingredient: basic copper sulfate | EPA reg no: 4-58
Bonide Fung-onil Multi-Purpose Fungicide Conc
Active ingredient: chlorothalonil | EPA reg no: 60063-9-4
Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide Micronized Spray or Dust RTU [Organic]
Active ingredient: sulfur | EPA reg no: 4-62
GardenTech Daconil Fungicide Conc
Active ingredient: chlorothalonil | EPA reg no: 67572-82-71004
Hi-Yield Snake Eyes Dusting Wettable Sulfur
Active ingredient: sulfur | EPA reg no: 7401-188-34911
Lilly Miller Sulfur Dust Fungicide/Insecticide Dust or Spray
Active ingredient: sulfur | EPA reg no: 802-16
Monterey Liqui-Cop Copper Fungicidal Garden Spray
Active ingredient: copper-ammonia complex | EPA reg no: 54705-7
Ortho Max Garden Disease Control Conc
Active ingredient: chlorothalonil | EPA reg no: 239-2522
Spectracide IMMUNOX Multi-Purpose Fungicide Spray Conc
Active ingredient: myclobutanil | EPA reg no: 9688-123-8845
This list may not include all products registered for this use.

Images

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Caption: Coryneum blight stem cankers Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Coryneum blight fruit spots Photo by: R.S. Byther

WSU Extension

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