What are common signs of peach leaf curl infection?

Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease caused by the pathogen Taphrina deformans, and the symptoms it produces are distinctive. The correct answer reflects the hallmark symptoms of this infection. Infected leaves often exhibit a noticeable curling, which can be accompanied by discoloration, typically turning reddish or purplish. This curling often occurs in the spring when new leaves are emerging.

This particular symptomatology is crucial for identification, as it can help differentiate peach leaf curl from other diseases and conditions affecting peach trees. The other choices represent signs associated with different plant issues or diseases. For instance, yellowing and wilting of branches may indicate environmental stress or other diseases, while black spots on fruits usually point to fungal infections such as sooty mold or fruit rots, and soft rot on the fruit skin is related to bacterial infections or other biological agents. Thus, the specific observation of discolored leaves and their curling is a definitive sign of peach leaf curl infection.