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Botryosphaeria stem canker
Botryosphaeria corticis (fungus)
Annemiek Schilder, MSU Plant Pathology
Bill Cline, NCSU Plant Pathology
Botryosphaeria stem canker is a serious disease of blueberries in the southeastern United States.

Symptoms
Early symptoms are small red lesions on succulent stems. The lesions become swollen and broadly conical in about 6 months. On susceptible cultivars, large, swollen cankers develop, with deep cracks and numerous fruiting bodies, after 2 to 3 years. Stems may be girdled and killed.

Disease cycle
The fungus overwinters in infected canes. Current-season stems are infected by ascospores or conidia in late spring. The optimum temperature for growth and sporulation of the fungus is 77 to 82ºF (25 to 28ºC). Eight races of the fungus are known.

Early (left) and late (right) symptoms on blueberry stems. Note swelling and cracking on old stem.
Management
Plant resistant cultivars; use disease-free planting material; remove and destroy infected canes. In general, fungicides are ineffective.
Mature bush with several canes killed by stem canker.  
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Last Updated - 9/27/09