© Frances Michaels
Anthracnose is a fungal disease which is prevalent in cool, humid weather. Spread by gardeners, tools,
seed and rain. It affects:
- Fruit trees including avocado, mango, macadamia
- A wide range of vegetables including bean, watermelon, rockmelon, tomato, cucumber and lettuce
In roses it can be confused with Black spot; begins as a black mark with well-defined margins but the centre
turns grey and falls out, leaving a black edge. In fruits, circular, sunken spots or craters are formed.
Suggested Organic Strategies
More information on suggested rose care...
More information on organic fungal
- Select resistant varieties
- Avoid overhead irrigation and improve air circulation
- Crop rotation
- Remove and destroy infected plants
- Use disease-free seed
- On trees, prune all dead wood and twigs and burn prunings (where possible)