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Stone Fruit Disease Control Toolbox - Fungicide and Antibiotic Timing

Timing of a fungicide application in relation to disease development is important for achieving the best results.

Updated:

March 10, 2020

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Stone Fruit Disease Control Toolbox - Fungicide and Antibiotic Timing

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Timing of Treatment Based on Stone Fruit Disease to be Controlled

Please refer to product labels and the Penn State Extension Tree Fruit Production Guide for details on chemical use at each timing.

Time of spray	Bacterial spot	Brown rot	Cherry leaf spot	Cytospora canker	Leaf curl	Powdery mildew^a	Scab^a
Dormant	++^b	—	—	—	++^b	—	++^b
Pink	—	—	—	++	—	++	+
Bloom	—	++	++^c	++	—	++	++
Petal fall	—	—	++	++	—	++	++
Shuck split	++	++	++	++	—	++	++
Shuck fall	++	—	++	++	—	++	++
First cover spray	++	++	++	++	—	++	++
Second cover spray	++	++	++	++	—	++	++
Third cover spray	++	+	++	—	—	—	—
Fourth cover spray	++	++	++	—	—	—	—
Fifth cover spray	++	++	—	—	—	—	—
Preharvest	—	++	—	—	—	—	—
Postharvest	—	+	++	—	—	—	—

++ = ideal timing of material for control; + = presence of pest and possible control; -- = control generally not needed

a. Control for the primary phase of the disease indicated. If disease is controlled early, third through harvest covers will not be necessary.
b. Dormant copper applications.
c. For cherry leaf spot control, begin applications at bloom when bract leaves have emerged and continue applications at 7- to 14-day intervals. A postharvest application is recommended to maintain control and reduce overwintering inoculum.

Agenda

Stone Fruit Disease Control Toolbox - Fungicide and Antibiotic Timing

Timing of Treatment Based on Stone Fruit Disease to be Controlled

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