Pest and disease control – Alternaria

November 2012 | Presented by Stephen Tancred, Orchard Services | Future Orchards® Orchard Walk presentation

This presentation by Stephen Tancred focuses on Alternaria leaf blotch and fruit spot as part of the November 2012 Future Orchards® pest and disease control series. It is designed as a practical orchard-management resource, linking identification and seasonal risk with decisions about when and how control measures should be used.

For Alternaria leaf blotch and fruit spot, effective management starts with understanding the biology of the problem and monitoring orchard conditions rather than treating every block in the same way. The presentation places control within a wider program that considers timing, coverage, available chemistry and the consequences of repeated use of the same control approach.

The resource is best used with current label directions and regional advice. Its enduring value is the decision framework: correctly diagnose the issue, assess the level and timing of risk, choose a targeted treatment where needed, and review the result as part of an integrated pest and disease management program.