ZonePlant

Disease on crop

fungal

Blueberry Stem Blight on highbush blueberry

Botryosphaeria dothidea

Fungal disease that enters through wounds and kills entire stems or whole bushes, particularly damaging on young plantings in the southeastern US.

Disease
Blueberry Stem Blight
Pathogen type
Fungal
Crop
Highbush Blueberry
Scientific name
Botryosphaeria dothidea

Blueberry Stem Blight on highbush blueberry

Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.

Symptoms on highbush blueberry

  • Sudden wilting and browning of entire stems
  • Reddish-brown discoloration of vascular tissue when stems are cut
  • Whole-plant decline over 1-2 years

IPM controls

  • Plant resistant varieties (Premier, Tifblue for rabbiteye)
  • Avoid wounding stems during cultivation and pruning
  • Prune out infected stems 6 inches below visible discoloration
  • Maintain plant vigor with proper soil pH and nutrition

Resistant varieties

Premier Tifblue Powderblue

Other crops affected by blueberry stem blight

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