What does it look like?
Fireblight is a bacterial disease. World-wide, Fireblight is found throughout North America, Canada, and much of Europe. Isolated outbreaks of fireblight occur throughout New Zealand. Pink Lady™, Gala, Royal Gala, Golden Delicious, and all pears are particularly susceptible.
Other plants that can be affected by Fireblight are quince and ornamental plants of the Roseaceae family including cotoneaster, hawthorn and pyracantha.
Why is it a problem?
If fireblight is unchecked, blossom infection can result in “shepherds crook” of the shoot. Blossoms appear water soaked then turn brown and finally black. Young fruit if infected turn brown, then black, wilt and drop off.
The apple and pear industry has become more susceptible to fire blight in recent years with an increase in susceptible rootstocks, varieties, new plantings and high-density orchard systems. Fireblight is a quarantine concern for countries such as Japan and Australia.
Control methods
Remove dead or dying limbs of the trees and clear away leaf litter which could harbour bacteria.
Related links
Management Programme
Sustained Control Programme
To provide for ongoing control of the subject, or an organism being spread by the subject, to reduce its impacts on values and spread to other properties.
Unwanted Organism
An unwanted organism is any organism that's capable of causing harm to natural or physical resources (like forests and waterways) or human health. A number of introduced pests in New Zealand are classed as unwanted.
Rules
Rule 19 Fireblight
Occupiers of unmanaged pipfruit production sites shall, on receipt of a written direction from an Authorised Person, control Fireblight on their land during the pipfruit bloom period (from pink to petalfall).
Taxonomies
TypeDiseases
GroupBacteria
HabitatLand
Management ProgrammeSustained Control ProgrammeUnwanted Organism
RulesRule 19 Fireblight
