Apricot Shot Hole Control: How To Treat Apricots With Shot Hole Disease

Shot hole disease can attack several types of fruit trees, but apricot is especially vulnerable. This fungal infection, previously called Coryneum blight, favors wet conditions, especially in the spring, and causes damage to buds, leaves, shoots, and fruit. Preventative steps are the best measures for managing this disease.

Identifying Shot Hole on Apricot Trees

Apricot shot hole fungus is Wilsonomyces carpophilus. It overwinters on buds that are infected and also on twigs. The spores on these parts of the tree can be transferred during winter and spring rains and when water splashes up from the ground. Those spores need 24 hours of moisture to set in and cause infection, so wet and humid conditions tend to lead to the spread of this disease. Apricots with shot hole disease may show a variety of symptoms, but the name comes from spots that develop on the leaves and then fall out, leaving round little holes behind. The first signs of apricot shot hole fungus disease on trees in the spring are purple spots on the new shoots, buds, and leaves. The spots on leaves that become holes begin small and often have a yellow or light green margin. Severe infections will cause the leaves to drop early, sometimes as early as in the spring. Extensive infection also begins to affect the fruit as it develops, causing scabby, rough spots that are concentrated on the top of the fruit and that may flake off and leave rough patches behind.

Apricot Shot Hole Control

Treating apricot shot hole disease once it has become advanced is difficult. The best measures begin with prevention. The disease is most common in wet conditions, so making sure trees are well spaced for airflow is crucial, as is regular apricot pruning to allow for circulation between branches. Avoid irrigation that causes water to splash up onto branches. If you do see signs of the disease, the best way to treat it is to apply an appropriate fungicide during the dormant season. This can help to minimize or prevent the disease from infecting healthy plant material in the spring and during the rainy and wet season. This can be done just after the leaves fall or right before buds break in the spring. You should also prune off and destroy and heavily diseased branches or twigs.