Peach: Shothole (Coryneum blight)

Biology

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

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• 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.

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.

Approved Pesticides

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 registration number: 4-58]
• Bonide Fung-onil Multi-Purpose Fungicide Concentrate
  Active ingredient: chlorothalonil [EPA registration number: 60063-9-4]
• Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide Micronized Spray or Dust RTU [Organic]
  Active ingredient: sulfur [EPA registration number: 4-62]
• Monterey Liqui-Cop Copper Fungicidal Garden Spray
  Active ingredient: copper-ammonia complex [EPA registration number: 54705-7]
• GardenTech Daconil Fungicide Concentrate
  Active ingredient: chlorothalonil [EPA registration number: 67572-82-71004]
• Lilly Miller Sulfur Dust Fungicide/Insecticide Dust or Spray
  Active ingredient: sulfur [EPA registration number: 802-16]
• Hi-Yield Snake Eyes Dusting Wettable Sulfur
  Active ingredient: sulfur [EPA registration number: 7401-188-34911]
• Ortho Max Garden Disease Control Concentrate
  Active ingredient: chlorothalonil [EPA registration number: 239-2522]
• Spectracide IMMUNOX Multi-Purpose Fungicide Spray Concentrate
  Active ingredient: myclobutanil [EPA registration number: 9688-123-8845]
• This list may not include all products registered for this use.

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