Peach leaf curl: what it is, symptoms, and effective treatments

Peach leaf curl is a fungal disease that primarily affects peach trees (Prunus persica), but it can also impact other stone fruits such as almond, apricot, and nectarines. Caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans, this disease can seriously compromise plant health and fruit quality.

What is peach leaf curl?

Peach leaf curl is a cryptogamic disease that primarily manifests on leaves but can also affect shoots and fruits. The Taphrina deformans fungus overwinters in buds and on bark, infecting new tissues during vegetative regrowth in spring. Humid climatic conditions and temperatures between 8°C and 16°C favor the onset and spread of the disease.

Symptoms of peach leaf curl

The most noticeable symptoms of peach leaf curl include:

• Leaf deformation: infected leaves appear thickened, curled, and display characteristic blisters.
• Discoloration: leaves take on shades ranging from yellow to deep red.
• Premature leaf drop: affected leaves may dry out and fall off early, weakening the plant.
• Fruit damage: in severe infections, fruits may develop deformities and spots, compromising harvest quality.

Preventive and curative treatments

Prevention is crucial in managing peach leaf curl. Here are some effective strategies:

• Autumn and winter treatments: applying copper-based products after leaf fall and before vegetative regrowth helps reduce fungal inoculum.
• Spring treatments: using specific fungicides at bud swelling and repeating the application depending on climatic conditions and disease progression.
• Good agricultural practices: removing and destroying infected fallen leaves and pruning diseased plant parts to limit pathogen spread.

The importance of effective treatments: the Caffini solution

To ensure effective treatments against peach leaf curl, it is essential to use equipment that provides uniform coverage and adequate penetration of phytosanitary products. Caffini offers the Trend Reverse, a trailed sprayer in production since 2001, particularly suited for treating vase-trained trees like peaches and other stone fruit trees.

Features of the Trend Reverse

• Front suction system: The innovative front suction system prevents pruning debris and leaves from clogging the grid, ensuring a constant and clean airflow.
• Three air channels: This design allows optimal canopy penetration and uniform coverage of buds and bark, ensuring that the product reaches all necessary parts of the plant.

Using Caffini’s Trend Reverse for late winter treatments against peach leaf curl maximizes the effectiveness of phytosanitary products, protecting plants and ensuring high-quality harvests.

Integrated management of peach leaf curl, combining proper agronomic practices and the use of cutting-edge equipment like those offered by Caffini, represents the winning strategy to keep your plants healthy and ensure abundant, high-quality production.

For more information about Trend Reverse and other solutions for your orchard care, do not hesitate to contact us.