Raspberries: Spur blight

Spur blight (Didymella applanata) fungus infects fruiting laterals of red and black raspberries, and blackberries, especially on the lower portion of canes where conditions are more favorable for disease development.

Individual laterals wilt, and at the base of the lateral is a brown or black lesion.

Close-up of two raspberry canes. Cane on left is green at bottom of image, and remaining cane is dark brown and appears dry. Cane on right is green at top and bottom, with a dark purple disoloration in central portion. Discolored area has an uneven border with slightly scalloped edge.
Spur blight lesions on canes.

Infections can occur on primocanes as well, as indicated by lesions that already exist surrounding the dormant buds.

Raspberry primocane with green buds. Cane tissue surrounding bud is dark purple-brown. Dark lesions are present above and below bud region.

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