

This is especially true for high density plantings as these trees tend to be smaller allowing the bacteria to move rapidly through the whole plant. Affected vegetative shoots wilt, causing the distinctive shepherd’s crook appearance. As the pathogen progresses in its host, the tissue blackens, appearing as if burned. Varieties differ in their susceptibility to Fire Blight. Infection in some cases can lead to tree death. Applications of Apogee or Kudos for shoot blight may be made during active shoot growth.įire blight is a destructive disease of apples and pears that affects blossoms, fruits, shoots, and limbs. Chemical control begins with a copper spray at silver tip to green tip. Monitor weather data and use a forecast model to determine the need for antibiotics and biopesticides at bloom.Sanitation is accomplished by removing blighted shoots and whole trees.Fire bight management is a combination of tactics applied every year.Bacteria then migrate through the vascular tissue to the growing shoots and rootstocks killing tissue and whole trees. Infection of blossoms occurs during warm weather in conjunction with wetting events.Outbreaks in New England are sporadic, but have become more common in recent years. Fire bight (FB) is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora.of Plant Pathology & environment Microbiology Archives, Penn State University., .įigure 8: Courtesy of Florida Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, įigure 9: Courtesy of Florida Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, įigure 10: Courtesy of Brian Olson, Oklahoma State University, Bugwood.Apple - Fire Blight ( Erwinia amylovora) Overview Jones, Michigan State University.įigure 6: Courtesy of Florida Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, įigure 7: Photo by Penn State Dept. Wallace, University of Georgia, .įigure 3: Courtesy of Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University įigure 4: Courtesy of Guido Schnabel, © Department of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Clemson University.įigure 5: A.L. Notify us immediatelyįigure 1: Courtesy Jody Fetzer, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, įigure 2: courtesy of Rebekah D. There's no single effective treatment for fire blight. bacterial exudate can be dispersed locally by wind, rain, insects and birds.surface injuries caused by insect feeding, hail or mechanical damage.blossoms where the bacteria is transported by bees during pollination.Plants can become infected in the following ways: some cane fruits and other ornamental plants (Figure 10).įire blight seriously affects fruit production worldwide.red-brown discolouration of the sapwood.discoloured sunken areas or cankers on branches, limbs and trunks (Figure 7).bacterial ooze in warm, humid weather (Figures 5 and 6).shoots and branches bent into a 'shepherd's crook' shape (Figures 3 and 4).leaves remain attached to stems (Figure 2).brown wilting of blossoms, shoots and leaves, with a scorched appearance (Figure 2).trees appear to have been ‘scorched’ by ‘fire’ (Figure 1).


The following symptoms can indicate fire blight: See Plant Health Australia for more information. If you suspect you have fire blight, please notify us immediately. Fire blight is a bacterial disease caused by Erwinia amylovora.
