Fire Blight
Erwinia amylovora
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameFire Blight
DescriptionFire blight makes fruit tree branches look like they were scorched by fire. Identify the characteristic 'shepherd's crook' tips to save your apple and pear trees.
TypeBacteria
FamilyErwiniaceae
GenusErwinia
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumProteobacteria
ClassGammaproteobacteria
OrderEnterobacterales
Features
- Named 'fire blight' because infected leaves and branches turn black or dark brown suddenly, appearing as if they have been scorched by flames
- Identified by the 'shepherd's crook' symptom: the tips of new, succulent shoots wilt and bend over into a hook shape before turning black
- The bacteria overwinter in cankers (cracked bark) on the tree. In spring, they emerge as a sticky orange-white ooze that attracts bees and flies
- Flowers turn brown and shrivel but remain attached to the tree. Leaves turn black on pear trees and brown on apple trees. Developing fruit shrivels and turns dark
- Spread primarily by pollinators (bees/flies) from bloom to bloom. Also spread by wind-driven rain and pruning with contaminated tools during wet weather
- Bacteria are microscopic. Cankers on branches can grow to several inches and eventually girdle and kill large limbs or the entire tree
- Most active during warm (18-24°C), humid weather during the bloom period. Rapid growth of succulent shoots due to heavy nitrogen fertilizer increases risk
- Exclusively attacks plants in the Rosaceae family, including apples, pears, quinces, crabapples, pyracantha, and hawthorns
- Prevent by planting resistant varieties. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that promote lush, susceptible growth. Prune only during dry winter dormancy
- Cut out infected branches 8-12 inches below the visible damage. Disinfect pruning tools with 70% alcohol between EVERY cut. Applying copper sprays during bloom can help
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificErwinia amylovora
English (Alternate)Bacterial blight, Pear blight
Hindiफायर ब्लाइट (Fire blight)
Tamilதீ வாடல் நோய் (Thee vadal noy)
Teluguఅగ్ని తెగులు (Agni tegulu)
Malayalamഫയർ ബ്ലൈറ്റ് (Phayar blaiṭ)
Kannadaಬೆಂಕಿ ಅಂಗಮಾರಿ (Beṅki aṅgamāri)
Sanskritदग्ध-म्लानि (Dagdha-mlāni)
Bengaliফায়ার ব্লাইট (Phayar blāiṭ)
Frenchfeu bactérien
Russianбактериальный ожог (bakterial'nyy ozhog)
Spanishfuego bacteriano
GermanFeuerbrand
