KY Plant Disease

09/25/2026

Anthracnose diseases can severely reduce plant stands and yields in commercial and residential strawberry plantings. Disease may develop on blossoms, fruit, petioles, runners (stolons), leaves, and crowns; however, it is most destructive when fruit and/or crowns are affected. The use of cultural practices and fungicides can reduce fruit and plant losses.
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09/11/2026

Sooty blotch and flyspeck, caused by a fungal complex, is a common cause for blemished, ugly apples. Sanitation, cultural practices, and fungicides all play roles in disease management.
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Sooty blotch and flyspeck, caused by a fungal complex, is a common cause for blemished, ugly apples. Sanitation, cultural practices, and fungicides all play roles in disease management. Sooty Blotc…

09/10/2026

Vegetable produce is often soft, perishable, and particularly susceptible to a range of damage during harvest and storage. Learn more about how to prevent losses at https://buff.ly/xxPL7ot

Vegetable produce is often soft, perishable, and particularly susceptible to a range of damage during harvest and storage. Growers can experience postharvest crop losses between 25% and 50%. A sign…

09/08/2026

Wet summer conditions have resulted in a rise in cases of Plectosporium blight in Kentucky pumpkin plantings. Plectosporium blight can be a major concern for pumpkin growers. Stems, leaves, and fruit can become infected, leading to plant decline and unmarketable fruit. Cultural practices and fungicides can reduce disease incidence.
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Wet summer conditions have resulted in a rise in cases of Plectosporium blight in Kentucky pumpkin plantings.  Plectosporium blight, formerly Microdochium blight, can be a major concern for pu…

09/07/2026

The University of Kentucky Plant Pathology Extension Team for Specialty Crops has put together numerous resources for commercial organic producers. The following details resources available for plant disease management in organic vegetable production. https://buff.ly/EXSzvdE

09/04/2026

Neopestalotiopsis disease (also referred to as Neopest or Neo-P) is caused by a fungus that can infect both cuttings and mature plants. Symptoms can range from leaf spots to crown and root rots to fruit infections. The pathogen overwinters in debris and as melanized spores in soil. Once introduced to fields, it can survive 3 to 5 years.

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Neopestalotiopsis disease (also referred to as Neopest or Neo-P) is caused by a fungus that can infect both cuttings and mature plants. Symptoms can range from leaf spots (Figure 1) to crown and ro…

09/01/2026

Crop specific spray schedules are now available to assist growers in managing the diseases they are most likely to encounter. These publications are available for blueberry, bramble, and strawberry, with versions available for field and high tunnel production, as well as conventional and organic systems.
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Numerous plant pathogens can cause disease in commercial berry production, resulting in plant damage and yield loss. Applications of fungicides and bactericides are often necessary to limit the imp…

08/31/2026

While fruit rots have a variety of causes, the most common fungal fruit rot of apple in Kentucky is bitter rot. The disease results in rotten, inedible fruit. Fungicides are available for management; however, sanitation is critical for disease prevention.
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While fruit rots have a variety of causes, the most common fungal fruit rot of apple in Kentucky is bitter rot. The disease results in rotten, inedible fruit. Fungicides are available for managemen…

08/28/2026

Cucurbit downy mildew is one of the most economically important diseases of cucurbits in Kentucky. The movement of cucurbit downy mildew is monitored on the Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting page of the IPM pipe website. Cucurbit growers can sign up for free e-mail or text alerts to be updated on the proximity of downy mildew. https://buff.ly/IfGAKql

Cucurbit downy mildew is one of the most economically important diseases of cucurbits in Kentucky. The movement of cucurbit downy mildew is monitored on the Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting page o…

08/27/2026

What do you know about organic disease management products? Do you want to learn more? Check out our publication "Organic Disease Management Guide for Specialty Crop Production" at https://plantpathology.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/PPFS-GEN-28-FF.pdf.