Pest & Disease European canker (Necria canker)

European canker (Necria canker)

Nectria galligena

Also Known As - Necria canker (European canker)

What is European canker (Neonectria ditissima)?

European canker, caused by the fungus Neonectria ditissima (formerly Nectria galligena), is a plant disease. Apple and pear trees are commonly infected, while other susceptible plants include quince, hawthorn, and some ornamental shrubs. Symptoms include reddish-brown sunken areas on twigs, wilting of branches beyond the cankers, and the formation of concentric calluses. Fruit can also be affected, leading to calyx end rot and bull's-eye rot. Additionally, European canker is a significant concern in orchards.

How does European canker (Neonectria ditissima) occur?

Apple canker is caused by a fungal pathogen that reproduces through spores. Infection occurs through leaf scars, wounds, pruning cuts, or broken twigs. Rain or irrigation spreads the spores, while airborne spores from older cankers can intensify the disease. The fungus invades the tree, damaging the bark and cambium layer, leading to the formation of cankers. These cankers produce spore-bearing structures, contributing to further spread and reproduction.

Symptoms

1 - Impact on Plants

Fruit and ornamental trees are significantly impacted by this pathogen. The development of cankers on branches and trunks disrupts nutrient and water flow, resulting in wilting, dieback, and potential tree mortality. Infected trees experience reduced vigor, lower yields, and diminished fruit quality.

2 - Soil Health

Decomposing infected branches and twigs add organic matter to the soil, altering nutrient levels and microbial activity. Removal of infected trees or pruned branches can disturb soil structure and nutrient cycling processes.

Solutions

1 - Cultural Control

• Select disease-resistant varieties when planting. • Prune infected branches during dry weather to remove cankers. • Maintain tree health through proper pruning, fertilization, and irrigation. • Minimize tree wounds and avoid unnecessary damage to the bark. • Monitor trees regularly for early signs of canker formation. • Follow cultural practices recommended for your specific region.

5 - Fungicide Application (if necessary)

• For the control of European canker, fungicides like Captan 80 WDG, copper-based products (such as Bordeaux 8-8-100), C-O-C-S WDG, Copper-Count-N, Cuprofix Ultra 40 Disperss, Kocide 3000, Nu-Cop 50 DF, and Ziram 76 DF have been used. • Each fungicide has specific application rates and reentry intervals. It is important to consult local regulations and experts for accurate and up-to-date information on fungicide availability and usage for European canker control in your area.

Susceptible Species

Strawberry Tree

Common Paw Paw

Akane Apple

Ambrosia Apple

Belle de Boskoop Apple

Braeburn Apple

Candied Apple Flowering Crab

Chehalis Apple

Cortland Apple

Cox's Orange Pippin Apple

Dolgo Apple

Donald Wyman Flowering Crab

Elstar Apple

Gala Apple

Golden Delicious Apple

Golden Russet Apple

Granny Smith Apple

Gravenstein Apple

Honeycrisp Apple

Jonagold Apple

Jonathan Apple

Liberty Apple

Lodi Apple

Louisa Flowering Crab

Macintosh Apple

Melrose Apple

Norland Apple

Pink Lady Apple

Red Delicious Apple

Red Jewel Flowering Crab

Scarlet Pippin Apple

Sentinel Flowering Crab

Snowdrift Flowering Crab

Spartan Apple

Summerland Apple

Wealthy Apple

Yellow Transparent Apple

Zestar Apple

pineapple guava

apple serviceberry

apple serviceberry

pineapple

pineapple

variegated pineapple

pearly everlasting

pearly everlasting

custard apple

strawberry tree

king's spear

star apple

pineapple broom

pricklyburr

argyle-apple

pineapple lily

pineapple lily

pineapple lily

pineapple lily

pearlbush

pearlbush

pearlbush

pearlbush

flowering crabapple

flowering crabapple

flowering crabapple

crabapple

apple

Siberian crabapple

flowering crabapple

flowering crabapple

crabapple

flowering crabapple

crabapple

apple

Japanese crabapple

crabapple

flowering crabapple

flowering crabapple

flowering crabapple

apple

dwarf apple

columnar apple

columnar apple

dwarf apple

Sargent crabapple

Sargent crabapple

flowering crabapple

crabapple

flowering crabapple

flowering crabapple

flowering crabapple

redbud crabapple

spearmint

apple mint

balsampear

prickly-pear

prickly-pear

prickly-pear

plains prickly pear

pearl millet

pearl millet

may-apple

may-apple

may-apple

Chinese pearlbloom

callery pear

callery pear

callery pear

callery pear

common pear

common pear

common pear

dwarf pear

common pear

willowleaf pear

willowleaf pear

willowleaf pear

pear

pear

dappled willow

pineapple sage

pineapple sage

string of pearls

Malaysian apple

atlas broom

Snowy Day Blizzard pearlbush

Royal Raindrops crabapple

European crabapple

pineapple weed

water spearmint

Asian pear

Irish moss

string-of-pearls

Running Chuckleypear

Tall Pussytoes

Seep Spring Arnica

Halberd Leaf Orache

Cashew Nut

Pineapple

Smooth-barked apple

Pond Apple

Mountain Soursop

Custard Apple (Chirimoya - Cuba)

Golden Sugar Apple

Sugar Apple

Red Pearls Anthurium

Pearl Laceleaf

Pineapple Broom

Pawpaw

King's Spear

Brazilian Prickly Pear

Swallow-Wort

Cocky apple

Seven-year Apple

Dwarf Apple Blossom Tree

Apple Blossom Tree

Apple Blossom Tree

Pink Shower Tree

Palmilla

Night Blooming Cereus

Caimito

Copey

Garlic Pear Tree

Sacred Garlic Pear

String of peas

Bush Pear

Desert Thorn Apple

Thorn Apple

Thorn Apple

Jimsonweed

Pineapple Orchid

Elephant Apple

Katmon

Velvet Apple

Gold Apple

Pink Wild Pear

Wild Pear

Giant Spear Lily

Kei Apple

Argyle Apple

Pineapple Lily

Pineapple Lily

Pineapple Lily

Pearlbush

Feijoa

Mountain Garcinia

Seven Year Apple

Pineapple Zamia

Sunsapote

Wood Apple

Osage Orange

Black Pearl

Apple

Low Chill Apple

Mammee Apple

Pomme Jacquot

Balsam Apple

Bitter Melon

Mouse's Pineapple

Santa Rita Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear

Tree Pear

Spearwood Bush

Sweet Calabash

Bell Apple

Pearcea

Pearcea

Pearcea

Avocado

Apple Leaf

Cocky Apple

Monkey Apple

Cinnamon Apple

Broadleaved Lucuma

Southern Pear

Pineapple Sage

Pineapple Cactus

Spear Head

Cockroach berry

Kangaroo Apple

Tropical Soda Apple

Cork Tree

Gedabu

Water Cherry

Sea Apple

Rose apple

Malay Apple

Wild Rose Apple

Wax jamboo

Red Bush Apple

Adam's Apple

Eve's Apple

Tear-shrub

Wild Custard Apple

Elephant Apple

Apple

Water Apple

White Apple

Pineapple Guava

Spineless Hardy Prickly Pear

Purple Prickly Pear

Flowering Pear