What is developing at the base of this peach tree?
The picture illustrates the fruiting bodies of the Armillaria root rot fungus, which is often a good sign of the disease. Armillaria root rot, also referred to as oak root rot, is caused by the pathogen Desarmillaria caespitosa in the Southeast.
The symptoms of armillaria root rot include decline of the scaffold branches, or overall tree collapse. If the bark is scraped off at the base of the tree, a white mycelial fan can be observed. Fruiting bodies, as pictured above, may develop after rainfall in the summer. The fungus can persist on root fragments from oaks or peaches for many years, exposing newly replanted orchards to the pathogen. Therefore, he best management options include resistant rootstocks such as MP-29.
This week’s question is from Rob Last, Midlands Fruit and Vegetable Extension Agent.
The South Carolina Grower 