Peach Leaf Curl of Peach
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Peach leaf curl (Taphrina deformans) is caused by a yeast-like fungus. Disease is most severe if weather is cool and wet during bud swell and shoot emergence. New foliage becomes thickened, puckered, and deformed. Leaves become bright yellow to reddish, later darkening to a purplish color. Dusty white spores develop on leaves. Leaves drop, causing decrease in fruit production. Mature leaves are not susceptible to infection. Fungal spores overwinter on bark, in infected buds, and on affected leaves.
Peach leaf curl.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Close-up of peach leaf curl infected leaves.
(Photo: Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Apply fungicides before bud break.
- Consider resistant cultivars.
- Apply fungicides in early spring or late autumn.
