By Clint Thompson
Bacterial spot is currently affecting peach orchards across the Southeast region. But it may not be the only disease to impact the trees during the final few weeks of this season.
According to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, anthracnose disease could become problematic on untreated trees, if the rainy conditions continue across the region.
“The other thing that we may start to see, I know that it’s showing up in South Carolina, is anthracnose on peaches. That’s another wet weather disease, especially as we get into, just prior to harvest,” Brannen said. “And talking to my counterpart over in Clemson, he’s starting to see a lot of that in some trees now.
“So that’s another disease. We haven’t had it reported yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Again, without a good spray program, it would probably advance. But so far, you know, as far as the diseases we’re seeing on well-treated trees, they look good.”
Disease Symptoms
According to UGA, the first symptom of anthracnose is a small yellowish spot on the surface of the fruit. The spot gradually grows and becomes a circular, sunken or tan lesion on the surface of the fruit. The decay continues, and in the affected part, fruit flesh changes to a grayish black color.
Peach producers are expected to continue harvesting this year’s crop, probably until late July or early August, says Brannen.
“We didn’t have a lot of early peaches because of freeze damage. So, there were a lot of days in which the packing lines were not even running, for example, early because of freeze damage on those varieties. So, we’re really getting into the meat of the season right now,” Brannen said. “And for the next month to month and a half, that will be our peach season in Georgia. And it will be intense for the next few weeks as far as production and harvest and everything else that’s going on with it.”