Diseases of citrus(
Sooty canker
Sooty canker is caused by a fungus commonly known as Hendersonula toruloidea (now classified as Nattrassia mangiferae or a species of Fusicoccum). It is most common on smooth bark trees such as citrus that can be easily sunburned. The fungus invades wounded sites in the bark of limbs and trunks and causes sunken lesions that break open with a black mass of spores under the bark. Individual limbs that are infected may die and should be pruned away. Once the trunk becomes infected, the tree usually dies.
Sooty canker can usually be avoided by preventing sunburn of bark, usually easily accomplished by by not over-pruning trees. The only controls are good pruning practices, good sanitation by removing all infested material, and maintenance of tree vigor with proper fertilizer and water.
December 31, 2007