Peach leaf curl
Disease
Peach leaf curl
Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul.
Distribution: Tends to be sporadic in managed orchards in eastern North America.
The pathogen infects young undeveloped tissue of leaves and fruit. Infection is most severe when cool conditions prevent rapid development of the foliage. Infected leaves curl and blister, leaving them severely deformed (A). Blisters may become discolored, ranging from light green to purplish (B). Severely infected leaves eventually shrivel and fall to the ground. Infected fruit either drop prematurely or remain on the tree and develop blisters or wart-like deformities on their surfaces (C).