Brown Rot (fungus
- Monilinia fructicola): The brown rot fungus can cause blossom blight
or fruit rot. Surface moisture and moderately warm temperatures encourage its
development. Fruit damaged by wind, hail, insects, or mechanical means is more
susceptible to this organism. Infected blossoms are brown and water-soaked. The
fungus grows down the pedicel into the stem which may cause twig dieback. Diseased
blossoms and fruit generally become covered with "tufts" of brown fungal material.
Fruit infection usually occurs near maturity. The fungal organism overwinters
in mummies, stem cankers and old fruit peduncles. Control is by repeated fungicide
applications and sanitation.
