Knowledgebase

Fabraea Leaf Spot and Pear Rust #783014

Asked March 02, 2022, 2:57 PM EST

My pear tree has fabraea leaf spot and pear rust. My plan is to treat the tree with Mancozeb and a spreader/sticker this spring. Are there any organic alternatives that would take care of fabraea leaf spot and pear rust? The most important thing is that the diseases are taken care of, so I am fine using Mancozeb if the organic alternatives would not be effective. I also noticed some leaf damage on the tree, see the attached pictures. Any idea what might be causing the leaf damage? Is it something you recommend treating for? Thank you.

Isabella County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello Andrew

Here are articles on managing Rust- to stay organic, remove all junipers within 1000 feet, and use pruning of fungal bodies and cleanup techniques noted here:

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/cedar-apple-rust/

http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/FactSheets/pear-trellis-rust.php

Organic fungicides that control Gymnosporangium  may give some control of rust-

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fungicides-fruit

For Fabraea, organic control was effective in some studies —- This study showed reduced Fabraea damage when spraying with Horticultural Mineral Oil sprays-“HMO applications also decreased the incidence of Fabraea leaf spot and defoliation of foliage” See this study

https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/f/3191/files/2019/04/Commercial-orchard-pear-study-organic-materials-to-conventional-tools.The-Natural-Farmer-226kheu.pdf

Note that all fungicide treatments should be rotated so the pathogen does not develop resistance. Other helpful references-

https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/pdf-doc-ppt/12-pears.pdf

The leaf damage is from feeding by insects. Usually these are caterpillars or grasshoppers. Turn leaves over to see if an insect is under the leaf.

Control is not recommended unless the insect population on the tree is so high that more than 25-30 % of the leaf canopy is gone.

Look for insects on the leaves ( especially undersides) and try to get some clear pictures- we may be able to ID the insect for you.

Trees are a food source for many types of pollinators and other wildlife, so your tree is “doing its part” in feeding wildlife, and the leaf feeding in your pictures is nothing excessive.


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