Anthracnose
Elsinoë ampelina
Sunken spots with dark margins on shoots and berries — the classic "bird's-eye rot".
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Description
Anthracnose (Elsinoë ampelina) is sometimes called “bird’s-eye rot” for the neat ringed spots it leaves on berries. It is most damaging in warm, high-rainfall regions and on vigorous young shoots.
Its trademark is the sunken lesion on green shoots with a sharply raised dark edge — that shoot symptom is the easiest way to tell it apart from the flatter leaf spots of black rot or phomopsis. A dormant-season lime-sulphur spray plus cane sanitation is the backbone of control.
What to look for
- Small dark spots on leaves that dry out and drop away, leaving "shot holes".
- Sunken grey lesions with raised dark/purple margins on green shoots.
- Round berry spots with a grey centre and reddish-brown ring — "bird's-eye rot".
- Severe shoot lesions can crack and weaken the cane.
Treatment options
Cultural & prevention
Start here — habits that stop problems before they spread.
- Prune out and destroy infected canes during dormancy.
- Improve airflow and avoid overhead irrigation.
- Remove infected debris from around the vine.
Organic / low-toxicity
Gentler sprays and biologicals for active outbreaks.
- A dormant lime-sulphur spray before bud break reduces overwintering fungus.
- Copper sprays during wet spring weather.
Conventional fungicide / pesticide
For severe cases. Always follow the product label.
- Protectant fungicides (e.g. mancozeb) from early shoot growth through wet periods.
Sources
This entry is based on the references below. Read them for full detail and for spray timings and rates valid where you live.
- Anthracnose of Grape — Ohio State University Extension
- Anthracnose (Elsinoe ampelina) in Grapes — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Anthracnose of Grapes — University of Kentucky Department of Plant Pathology