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Description: Pear scab occurs wherever pears are grown. It is also called black spot because of the dark spots it produces on leaves and fruits.

Symptoms: Scab first appears on the bottom and later on the side of the fruit. Infected fruit often becomes misshapen. Scab spores develop during the winter in infected leaves on the ground. Infection is highest when blossoms are open, but continues for about 6-9 weeks.

Solutions: Spray a copper soap fungicide when disease first appears, and repeat at 7- to 10-day intervals for as long as needed. For optimum control, begin spraying at the green-tip stage of bud development. Repeat at 7- to 10-day intervals for as long as needed. To reduce disease, remove leaf debris and infected fruit in the fall. Most infected pears can still be eaten if the scabby area is removed. We recommend Soap-Shield Flowable Liquid Copper Fungicide*.

*NOTE: Soap-Shield may cause copper toxicity on some pear varieties. Copper toxicity appears as purple spots and is more likely to occur outdoors than in greenhouses.

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