Raspberry (Rubus spp.)-Ascospora Dieback

Latest revision: 
March 2024

Cause Seimatosporium lichenicola (formerly Sporocadus lichenicola), a fungus that can infect red and black raspberry, 'Loganberry', and Himalaya and evergreen blackberry. Blueberry can also be a host. Infection may require a previous low temperature injury of the plant but the life cycle of this fungus/disease has not been studied in detail.

Symptoms Lesions at nodes in late summer or fall on raspberry primocanes. Lesions are superficial, do not reach the cambium and generally do not girdle the stem. They are gray-white with reddish margins and reddish-brown fruiting structures (acervuli) develop in spring. Patches may turn brown or black, and the cane may crack at the site. Symptoms often are in blackberry fruiting canes after a year of winter injury.

Cultural control

  • Practice clean cultivation in the growing season.
  • Practice early season primocane control.

Chemical control Apply dormant or delayed-dormant lime sulfur. Sprays may burn foliage in warm weather.

  • Lime Sulfur Ultra (27% lime sulfur) at 2 to 3 gal/100 gal water. 48-hr reentry. O
  • Rex lime sulfur (28%) at 6 to 12 gal/100 gal water. 48-hr reentry. O

Reference Martin, R.R., Ellis, M.A., Williamson, B. and Williams, R.N. 2017. Compendium of Raspberry and Blackberry Diseases and Pests. 2nd edition. St. Paul, MN: APS Press.