BROWN ROT IN ORCHARDS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 16

BROWN ROT IN ORCHARDS

♦ CONCERN EXPRESSED IN AUCKLAND AUCKLAND. February 4. Havoc wrought in the orchards of the Auckland Province this season by brown rot is causing grave concern. Since it was first noticed in 1015 this disease has spread so rapidly that it threatens to become the most destructive enemy of the qrchardist. According to the latest estimates, it has destroyed 70 per cent, of the nectarines and peaches grown this season for the city markets. However, the cause of the disease is known, and effective measures for its control have been devised. Ten days of humid heat last October while the trees were in bloom had been the main cause of the exceptionally severe incidence of brown rot this year-, said Mr Paynter, orchard instructor for the Department of Agriculture in Auckland. The sudden onset of hot, • moist weather at that time rapidly matured the spores of fungus to their most harmful stage. In this condition they rose into the air like smoke, and infected the blossoms and finally the wood of the tree. When the fruit developed the fungus settled on the skin, but could do no injury unless the skin became punctured. Especially when the fruit had ripened during a spell of muggy weather. as in this season, the skin was easily punctured by insects and birds, or developed weak spots because of pressure from rapid growth. The slightest injury, even to picked fruit which had reached the market, would allow rot to develop on apparently sound specimens in a few hours. Orchards in the Auckland district were especially liable to attacks, not only because of the climate, but also because of the lack of attention to orchard sanitation, added Mr Paynter. He considered that brown rot could be reasonably controlled if proper precautions were taken.