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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #384209
Research Project: Healthy, Sustainable Pecan Nut Production

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Phony peach disease: past and present impact on the peach industry in the southeastern U.S.A.

Author
item JOHNSON, KENDALL - University Of Georgia
item Bock, Clive
item BRANNEN, PHILLIP - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (CABI A&B)
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2021
Publication Date: 7/20/2021
Citation: Johnson, K.A., Bock, C.H., Brannen, P.M. 2021. Phony peach disease: past and present impact on the peach industry in the southeastern U.S.A.. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (CABI A&B). Vol 2:29.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Background: Phony peach disease (PPD) is caused by the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex (Xfm). Historically, the disease has caused severe yield loss in Georgia and elsewhere in the southeastern U.S., with millions of PPD trees being removed from peach orchards over the last century. The disease remains a production constraint, and management options are few. Limited research has been conducted on PPD since the 1980s, but the advent of new technologies offers the opportunity for new, foundational research to form a basis for informed management of PPD in the U.S. Furthermore, considering the global threat of Xylella to many plant species, preventing import of Xfm to other regions, particularly where peach is grown, should be considered an important phytosanitary endeavor. Main topics: We review PPD, its history and impact on peach production, and describe the current status of the pathogen, Xfm. The ability to detect the pathogen is discussed, and ramifications of detection in relation to management and control are considered. Control options are limited. Our current knowledge of the disease diversity and epidemiology are described, and based on this, some potential areas for future research are listed. Conclusion: There is a lack of recent foundational research on PPD and the associated strain of Xfm. More research is needed to reduce the impact of this pathogen on peach production in the southeastern U.S., and, should it spread internationally, wherever peaches are grown.