Septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici) – identify and control

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Septoria leaf spot, Septoria lycopersici is a widespread disease in countries with temperate and oceanic climates. In addition to tomatoes, it also attacks other cultivated and spontaneous Solanaceae.

Symptoms – Septoria leaf spot

The plants can be attacked during all the stages of development, the disease manifesting itself on leaves, stems, and very rarely on fruits. The disease begins on the leaves with the appearance of circular, brown spots 0.5-1 mm in diameter.

After some time, the spots increase in diameter to 3-4 mm and become greyish-white. They remain surrounded on the edges by a dark brown halo. On the attacked tissues’ surface, on the leaves’ upper side, black punctiform formations occur, which represent the fungus’ pycnidia. The infested tissues necrotize and the affected leaves dry out, starting from the basal ones.

Similar spots can be seen on the stems and very rarely on fruits. When the seedlings’ infestation occurs early, they can be partially or totally destroyed if appropriate treatments are not applied.

The pathogen is Septoria lycopersici. From one growing season to another, the fungus is transmitted through the resistance mycelium, the form in which the fungus overwinters in the plant debris.

Prevention and control. As preventive measures, it is recommended to gather and destroy the plant debris, crop rotation with tomatoes returning to the same soil after 2-3 years, and the use of healthy seedlings. During the growing season, it is recommended to apply treatments with specific fungicides.

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Septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici) – identify and control
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