Pomegranate dry rot is a serious fungal disease that affects both the flowers and fruits during the growing season, as well as stored fruits after harvest. The pathogen primarily survives the winter on the stems and fruits of the tree. By mid-April of the following year, mycelium present on the surface of hard, mature fruits produces new spores, which become the main source of infection for the disease.
During the flowering period in May, dry rot begins to attack the blossoms. Initially, the petals turn brown and gradually spread to the flower buds and receptacles, causing the entire flower to turn brown. Within the affected areas, numerous small dark particles—known as conidia—appear, indicating the presence of the pathogen. When branches are infected, the boundary between the diseased and healthy tissue often cracks, and the bark becomes dry, cracked, and may even peel off. As the disease progresses, the infected area expands rapidly, penetrating deep into the xylem, eventually leading to the death of the entire branch. Severe infections cause flowers and young fruits to drop prematurely. However, once the fruit reaches about 70% of its full size, it stops falling and instead shrinks, turning into a dry, shriveled fruit that remains attached to the branch.
Several factors contribute to the occurrence of dry rot. These include excessive pruning without proper control, an overabundance of wounds, and weakened tree health due to significant loss of leaf area. Overuse of pure nitrogen fertilizer can stimulate excessive vegetative growth, making trees more susceptible. Additionally, improper thinning of flowers and fruits can increase the risk of infection.
To manage this disease, it is essential to apply protective sprays before and after flowering. A 1:1.5:160 dilution of Bordeaux mixture or a 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 800–1000 times dilution should be applied every 15–20 days. After fruit set, these sprays can be combined with insecticides, along with agricultural anti-120 and excellent fruit calcium diluted at 600 times. For additional protection, mix 1 part agricultural anti-120 with 2 parts compound amino acid chelating fertilizer and 30 parts water. This solution can be brushed onto the trunk and main branches to enhance tree resistance and promote healthier growth.
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