An evaluation of sulphur for brown rot control in Central Otago stonefruit

Abstract

Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey was controlled in the blossom blight and fruit brown rot stages in season-long programmes on nectarines, peaches and apricots using sulphur. The efficacy of three rates of sulphur (80, 120 and 160 g ai/100 litres) was tested on two apricot cultivars, 'Sundrop' and 'CluthaGold'. Sulphur, applied from flowering to harvest, delayed ripening in apricots but caused no apparent damage to the leaves or fruit. Sulphur was also effective in trials to compare the timing of applications in relation to infection periods. Preinfection, postinfection and standard programmes were all effective, but a wet season complicated interpretation of infection period timing.