Brown Rot on Apricots and Other Stone Fruits

Brown rot is a common and destructive disease affecting apricot and other stone fruits (cherry, nectarine, peach, and plum) in Nebraska. This fungus may attack blossoms, fruit spurs (flower and fruit bearing twigs), and small branches. Most damage from this disease occurs when fruit becomes infected just prior to ripening, or during and after harvest. When environmental conditions are conducive, the entire crop can completely rot on the tree. Following harvest, fruit that is not kept cool during storage may rot in two or three days.