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University
of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Black
Knot of Plum and Cherry
Black
Knot is one of the most common diseases of plum and cherry (and
other Prunus spp.) in Rhode Island. It is caused by a fungus
(Apiosporina morbosa) which can severely limit the production
of fruit trees or ruin the esthetic value of ornamentals.
In the spring the fungus produces infective spores during rainy
periods which are forcibly ejected. These spores are splashed by
the rain and blown by the wind to land on susceptible plant tissue.
These spores can germinate and infect new tissues during wet periods
as short as 6 hours at the optimal temperature for infection (70-75
degrees F). Infection occurs from April through June especially
on the current season's growth.
This disease appears as obvious hard black elongated swellings (knots)
which may be from one to six inches or more in length. The knots
are scattered throughout the tree with the number increasing in
successive years if the condition is left untreated. When the symptoms
first appear during the Autumn following infection, it appears as
an inconspicuous swelling on the current season's shoots. As growth
resumes the following spring, the bark splits and knots are greenish
and soft but become hardened and black by the end of the second
year. The
fungus over-winters in the stem of the infected host and erupts
during the spring. These early infections produce asexual spores
(conidia) which may infect the host. As the knot darkens through
the summer and the following winter, sexual spores (ascospores)
are produced and it is these spores which cause most infections.
If the knot has girdled the stem sufficiently to cause its death
the infection will stop. Otherwise the knot will continue to expand
and produce new spores in successive years.
Black knot can be controlled using a combination of prevention and
sanitation. 1)
Remove all knots and swellings by pruning three to four inches below
the knot during the dormant season before April 1. Where infections
occur on larger branches which should be saved, cut the infection
out down to the wood and two to three inches from its edge. 2)
Burn, bury or otherwise remove prunings from the area because they
may still be an active source of spores. 3)
Severely infected trees should be removed entirely. 4)
Cut and remove wild hosts of the disease. 5)
Use resistant varieties if disease pressure is high.
6) Preventative sprays may be necessary if nearby disease sources
cannot be eliminated or when bringing a heavily infected tree back
to health. A dormant spray of lime sulfur may be helpful when pruning
heavily infected trees. Adapted
from Bruce A. Watt, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 2000
Pesticides
are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels.
Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach
of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers
immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never
be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials.
Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for
the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury
or property damage.
For more
information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline
at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island;
Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University
of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program
opportunities.
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