Melanose
Pathogen
- Caused by the fungus Diaporthe citri
Leaf Symptoms
- Early symptoms are small reddish-brown discrete spots that are surrounded by yellow halos
- Later, the halos disappear, but the raised pustules remain
- The leaf surface feels like sandpaper
Fruit Symptoms
- If infected when the fruit is small, lesions can cover most of the fruit
- The lesions are reddish-brown and rough
- If infected later in the season, the lesions are small and discrete
Varieties Affected
- All citrus
- Grapefruit and lemons are most susceptible
Learn more: A Guide to Citrus Disease Identification
Management
- Commercial grove management practices are reviewed and updated annually in the Florida Citrus Production Guide.
- The Quick Reference Guide to Foliar Fungicides is updated annually and available as a downloadable PDF.
- The Citrus Copper Application Scheduler is a tool available to assist in scheduling copper applications based on current copper residue levels.
