Glyphosate Injury on Peach
Return to Abiotic Disorders
Glyphosate (e.g. Roundup) injury symptoms include leaf chlorosis (yellowing), wilting, browning, and leaf drop. Glyphosate translocates within trees, moving downward to roots in late summer and autumn and then moving upward into foliage the following spring. Tree death may occur following a spring exposure. Symptoms following a late summer exposure may be delayed until the following spring and appear as small chlorotic straplike leaves. Glyphosate impacts tree winter hardiness development and may lead to trunk cracking and tree death. Peach trees are highly susceptible to injury from drift or inadvertent applications to trunks; bark on young trees is particularly thin and allows for absorption; tree death can occur. Based on research trials, generic formulations of glyphosate can be safer to use in peach orchards because they are absorbed less effectively.
Glyphosate herbicide resulting in stunting and chlorosis of trees.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Avoid spray contact with peach trunks and use caution when using formulations with high absorption properties.
- Minimize spray drift (shielded sprayers, low pressure spray, apply on calm days).
