Almond Growers Asked to Look Out for Pathogen
Well it’s not the headline I want to be talking about, but just the same, we are seeing a threat to almonds here in the state that has been spreading geographically since first detected in late May in Merced and Madera counties.
I’m talking Red Leaf Blotch or RLB, caused by a fungal pathogen polystigma amygdalinum. According to a report produced by a collaborative effort between UC Davis and UC Cooperative Extension, RLB symptoms were first noticed in Nonpareil, Monterey, and Fritz almond varieties, characterized by yellow spots and orange to dark red-brown blotches.
According to the Almond Board of California, the disease spread to Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties. Growers who suspect RLB in their orchard are being asked to avoid collecting leaf samples and transporting them to reduce the potential spread of the pathogen to uninfected areas. Instead, you are urged to contact your local UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor.
And, I wanted to make sure to note that while laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the pathogen, official confirmation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is still pending. Get more details on the Almond Board of California’s website: https://www.almonds.com/almond-industry/industry-news/new-threat-california-almonds-red-leaf-blotch
