1. Plant Disease
  2. Host and Disease Descriptions

Prune and Plum (Prunus spp.)-Brown Rot

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Latest revision: 
March 2024

Fruit has rotted and dried on this tree branch.

OSU Extension Plant Pathology Slide Collection, 1981.

Image related to Prune and Plum (Prunus spp.)-Brown Rot
Flowering plum can also be severely affected.
Photo by Robin Rosetta, 2005

See:

Cherry (Prunus spp.) - Brown Rot Blossom Blight and Fruit Rot

Chemical control Apply fungicides during the bloom period at early popcorn, full bloom, and/or petal fall to control the blossom blight phase. In California, one (1) or two sprays are sufficient most years if a product with systemic (translaminar) activity is used. Fruit-rot sprays can be applied before harvest if wet weather is expected. Alternate materials from different fungicide groups with different modes of action to prevent or delay building up resistant fungi. Limit the use of any one group during crop production. Selection of products for rotation and/or mixing must consider group 7 fungicides when used through the irrigation as a nematicide.

  • Abound at 12 to 15.5 fl oz/A. Do not apply with silicone-based surfactants. May be applied the day of harvest. Sprayers should not be used on apples. Group 11 fungicide. 4-hr reentry.
  • Bonide Captan 50 WP at 1 to 1.5 Tbsp/gal water can be used in home gardens. H
  • Bravo Weather Stik at 3.1 to 4.1 pints/A. Avoid use when honey bees are active due to larval toxicity. Group M5 fungicide. 12-hr reentry. H
  • Captan 80 WDG at 2.5 to 3.75 lb/A. Applications may be made day of harvest. Not recommended due to concerns about pollinator brood development. Group M4 fungicide. 24-hr reentry. H
  • Cevya at 3 to 5 fl oz/A. May be used day of harvest. Group 3 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Eagle 20 EW at 2 to 3 fl oz/100 gal water for home orchards or landscape use. Can be applied up to the day of harvest. Group 3 fungicide. 24-hr reentry.
  • Echo 720 at 3.1 to 4.1 pints/A, for blossom blight only. Do not apply after shuck split. Avoid use when honey bees are active due to larval toxicity. Group M5 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • EcoSwing at 1.5 to 2 pt/A. Can be used day of harvest. Fair control. Group BM01 fungicide. 4-hr reentry. O
  • Elevate 50 WDG at 1 to 1.5 lb/A. Apply up to and including the day of harvest. Group 17 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Fontelis at 14 to 20 fl oz/A. Can be used day of harvest. Group 7 fungicide.12-hr reentry.
  • Indar 2F at 6 fl oz/A plus a wetting agent. Group 3 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Inspire Super at 16 to 20 fl oz/A. Do not apply within 2 days of harvest. Group 3 + 9 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Iprodione-based products. Do not apply after petal fall. Generally good control if resistance is not a problem. Do not mix with insecticides due to honey bee adult and/or larval toxicity. Group 2 fungicide. 24-hr reentry.
    • Iprodione 4L AG at 1.5 to 2 pints/A.
    • Meteor at 1.5 to 2 pints/A.
    • Rovral 4 Flowable at 1.5 to 2 pints/A.
  • Kenja 400 SC at 12.5 fl oz/A. Do not use within 1 day of harvest. Group 7 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Luna Experience at 6 to 10 fl oz/A. May be used day of harvest. Group 3 + 7 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Luna Sensation at 5 to 7.6 fl oz/A. Do not use within 1 day of harvest. Group 7 + 11 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Merivon at 4 to 6.7 fl oz/A. Do not use with EC or oil-based products. Only nonionic surfactants can be used within 14 days of harvest. May be used day of harvest. Group 7 and 11 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Miravis at 5.1 fl oz/A. Can be used up to the day of harvest. Group 7 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Miravis Duo at 13.6 fl oz/A. Can be used up to the day of harvest. Group 3 + 7 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Pristine at 10.5 to 14.5 oz/A. Can be used day of harvest. Group 7 + 11 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Problad Verde at 18.1 to 45.7 fl oz/A. Reapply if rain occurs within 12 hours of original application. Do not use within one day of harvest. Group BM01 fungicide. 4-hr reentry.
  • Propiconazole-based fungicides are registered. Do not use on Stanley-type Plums earlier than 21 days before harvest. Do not mix with insecticides due to bee toxicity. Group 3 fungicides.
    • Bumper 41.8 EC at 4 fl oz/A. Limited to two (2) applications during bloom. 12-hr reentry.
    • Infuse Systemic Disease Control at 2 Tbsp/gal water. H
    • PropiMax EC at 4 fl oz/A. Limited to two (2) applications during bloom. Do not use within 10 days of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
    • Tilt at 4 fl oz/A. It may be used up to and including day of harvest. 24-hr reentry.
  • Quadris at 12 to 15.5 fl oz/A. May be applied the day of harvest. Sprayers used for Abound should not be used on apples. Group 11 fungicide. 4-hr reentry.
  • Quadris Top at 12 to 14 fl oz/A. May be applied on the day of harvest. Sprayers should not be used on apples. Do not mix with insecticides due to bee toxicity. Group 3 + 11 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Quash at 2.5 to 3.5 oz/A. Do not use within 14 days of harvest. Do not use on Stanley-type plums. Group 3 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • QuiltXcel at 14 fl oz/A. May be applied the day of harvest. Do not use on Stanley-type plums earlier than 21 days before harvest. Sprayers should not be used on apples. Group 3 + 11 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Rally 40 WSP at 2.5 to 6 oz/A. Can be applied up to the day of harvest. Group 3 fungicide. 24-hr reentry.
  • Rhyme at 7 fl oz/A. Do not use within 7 days of harvest. Group 3 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Scala SC at 9 to 18 fl oz/A. Do not apply within 2 days of harvest. Not for cherry-only for apricot, peach, prune and plum. Group 9 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Tebucon 45 DF at 4 to 8 oz/A for "fresh" prunes only. Can be applied up to and including day of harvest. Group 3 fungicides. 5-day reentry.
  • Tesaris at 3.5 to 5.6 fl oz/A. Do not use with oil-based products. May be used day of harvest. Group 7 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Topguard SC at 14 fl oz/A. Do not use within 7 days of harvest. Group 3 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Topguard EQ at 6 to 8 fl oz/A. Do not use with silicone surfactants or within 7 days of harvest. Sprayers should not be used on apples. Group 3 + 11 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.
  • Topsin 4.5 FL at 20 to 30 fl oz/A plus another fungicide with a different mode of action. May not be used within 1 day of harvest. Group 1 fungicide. 2-day reentry.
  • Vangard WG at 5 oz/A plus another fungicide. For blossom blight only. Do not use with X-77. Buffer to a pH of 5 to 7 when tank-mixing with Rovral. Group 9 fungicide. 12-hr reentry.

Biological control

  • Botector (Aureobasidium pullulans strains DSM 14940 and 14941) at 6 to 14 oz/A depending on water volume. Can be applied day of harvest. Compatible with sulfurs, oils and a few fungicides but not with many synthetic fungicides. 4-hr reentry. O
  • BotryStop (Urocladium oudemansii U3 strain) at 2 to 4 lb/A. Keep refrigerated before use. Compatible with many wetting agents, some fungicides and biologicals, but not all. Unknown efficacy in the PNW. 4-hr reentry. O
  • DoubleNickel 55 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747) at 0.25 to 3 lb/A. Unknown efficacy. Not recommended for fruit rot control. Group BM02 fungicide. 4-hr reentry. O
  • Howler Evo (Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009) at 20 to 120 oz /A plus a surfactant. Can be used day of harvest. 4-hr reentry. O
  • Serenade OPTI (Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713) at 14 to 20 oz /A. Active ingredient is a small protein. Use only for blossom blight during bloom. 4-hr reentry. O
  • Serenade Garden Disease Control Concentrate at 2 to 4 fl oz/gal water. Use only for blossom blight during bloom. H O

Note: Fixed-copper products are registered but due to low level of control are not recommended.

References Luo, Morgan and Michailides. 2001. Risk analysis of brown rot blossom blight of prune caused by Monilinia fructicola. Phytopathology 91:759-768.

Olsen, J. and Johnson, K.B. 1995. Brown rot resistance research. Proceedings of the Oregon Horticulture Society 86:11-13.