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Phomopsis blight
Aubergine Phomopsis Vexans
Phomopsis blight in an aubergine caused by Phomopsis vexans
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Sordariomycetes
Subclass: Sordariomycetidae
Order: Diaporthales
Family: Valsaceae
Genus: Phomopsis

Phomopsis blight is caused by a number of plant pathogens of the Phomopsis genus. Symptoms vary depending on the strain of disease and variety of plant infected.

Important species[]

Important species susceptible to phomopsis blight:

  • P. asparagi, P. asparagicola and P. javanica
  • P. vexans
  • P. cucurbitae
  • P. sclerotioides
  • P. viticota
    • Cane and leaf spot of grapes
  • P. obscurans
    • Leaf blight of Strawberry

Symptoms[]

Aubergine[]

Leaf spots first appear as small (less than 0.4 inches) gray to brown lesions with light centers. Lesions often become numerous and cover large areas of leaves. Severely infected leaves become torn, yellow and wither. Small black dots, the fungal fruiting bodies called pycnidia, are often apparent on older leaf, stem, and fruit lesions. Stems and branches may develop dry, brown, cracked and sunken cankers. If a canker develops at the base of a stem, it can girdle and kill the stem. Fruit lesions are sunken, discolored, and soft with a surrounding margin of black fruit bodies. If conditions become dry, infected fruit become shriveled, dry, and form black mummies.[1]

Treatment[]

Biological[]

No biological control strategies have been developed for Phomopsis blight.[1]

Chemical[]

If disease is identified in the field treatment with a recommend fungicide is advisable. Newer fungicides such as Cabrio, Quadris, and Endura are registered for use on aubergine, but their efficacy against Phomopsis fruit rot is unknown. Fungicides are most effective when combined with cultural control strategies.[1]

Prevention[]

Plant only high quality seed and transplants free from the Phomopsis blight fungus. Plant resistant varieties if available and suitable for your marketing needs. Practice a three-year or longer crop rotation between crops. Destroy crop residues after harvest by deep plowing to reduce over wintering of the pathogen. Promote rapid leaf drying by timing irrigations to end before dusk, spacing plants farther apart in and between rows, and planting parallel to the prevailing wind direction.[1]

Examples[]

References[]

  1. a b c d Schwards, H.F. Gent, D.H. (2007). Eggplant, Pepper, and Tomato - Phomopsis Fruit Rot (Phomopsis Blight). High Plains IPM Guide.
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