Simple cultural practices can dramatically help reduce brown rot pressure in stone fruit orchards, but fungicides will also be necessary for control. Eradication is impossible using sanitation methods alone, says a Rutgers University pathologist. In the eastern United States, Monilinia fructicola causes brown rot in stone fruit crops, while in the western states, M. laxa is the primary agent. In California, brown rot is caused by both M. fructicola and M. laxa, with fresh market peaches, plums, and nectarines primarily affected by M. fructicola. The pathogen attacks all commercially grown Prunus species, including apricot, peach, nectarine, plum, prune, sweet cherry, […]