Dear Professor,

Thank you for sharing the image. Based on the visible symptoms including deep longitudinal cracks and fungal growth on the pomegranate branch the disease appears to be a fungal canker, most likely caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea or Cytospora spp.

These fungi typically infect the plant through physical injuries, such as pruning wounds, frost cracks, or mechanical damage. The cracks formed on the plant as a result of such injuries provide an entry point for the fungi to invade the internal tissues.

This disease is commonly observed in western regions of Iran, especially under humid or environmentally stressful conditions.

Best regards,

Alireza Firouzmand