Diagnosing septoria in field peas
Septoria leaf blotch Septoria pisi is a minor disease that is widespread in Western Australia.
What to look for
- Damage is most severe in short, semi-leafless varieties.
Paddock
- Indefinite areas of yellow then straw-coloured lesions on the leaf,stem, and tendrils.
- Numerous pinhead-sized fruiting bodies develop, scattered over the surface of the diseased tissue.
Plant
What else could it be
| Condition | Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosing bacterial blight in field peas | Pale brown leaf lesions | No fruiting bodies in lesions |
Where did it come from?
- Fungal spores produced on last year's field pea trash infect nearby crops.
- Splattering or windblown water enhances the spread of the spores during the growing season.
- The disease begins on lower foliage, and occurs primarily on ageing foliage, stems, and pods.
Management strategies
Rotation
- Control measures are usually not warranted because the disease appears to have little impact on yield.
- Crop rotation is the most important control measure.
See also
Further information
Where to go for expert help
Page last updated: Wednesday, 13 May 2015 - 4:16pm