Elderberry Dothidea canker

The causative agent of elderberry dothidea canker is the pathogenic fungus Dothidea sambuci, belonging to the Ascomycota group. This disease is an infectious process that primarily affects the bark and wood of the plant's stems. The fungus acts as a parasite, gradually invading the host tissues and disrupting the normal physiological processes of the shrub.

The main crops susceptible to this infestation are elderberries, specifically species such as Sambucus nigra (black elderberry) and Sambucus racemosa (red elderberry). The disease is most commonly found in crowded plantings, park areas, and shelterbelts, where the plant does not receive proper maintenance or suffers from environmental stress factors.

Symptoms of the disease manifest as the formation of specific black tubercles or flat stromata on the surface of the bark of young and old branches. In affected areas, the bark gradually dies, becomes rough, and cracks. Without treatment, the fungal mycelium penetrates deep into the cambium, leading to the drying out of individual branches or the entire aerial part of the plant.

Infection development is favored by high humidity, prolonged rainfall, and poor crown aeration. Fungal spores are easily dispersed by wind or rain splashes, infecting healthy bark areas where mechanical injuries are present. The most active spread of the pathogen occurs during the autumn and spring seasons, when temperature conditions are conducive to conidia germination.

Protection measures include regular sanitary pruning of infected branches with mandatory destruction to prevent spore dispersal. It is recommended to apply copper-based fungicide sprays in early spring before bud break. A crucial element of prevention is maintaining optimal planting density and strengthening the shrub's overall immunity through balanced fertilization.