Center For Information Outreach

December 5, 2012

Plan For This Early Blight Look-Alike in 2013

 

Brown leaf spot of potato can be misidentified as early blight, potentially compromising disease control. 
James DeDecker                                                
Michigan State University Extension               

Symptoms of early blight on potato leaves caused by Alternaria solani (a)
& brown leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata (b). Photo Credit:
William Kirk & Phillip Wharton, Michigan State University 

dedecke5@msu.edu

Dr. William KirkMichigan State University

Categories: field crops, vegetables,
farm management, hot topics

Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, is a very common fungal disease present in most regions that produce potatoes. Brown leaf spot (Alternaria alternata) of potato has gained attention recently for its similarity to early blight. Just as common, yet underestimated, brown leaf spot presents symptoms that are often incorrectly attributed to early blight. Successful control of both pathogens depends on accurate identification and a tailored approach.

Brown Leaf Spot
The fungus that causes brown leaf spot, Alternaria alternata, is closely related to early blight (Alternaria solani). Like early blight, brown leaf spot overwinters as spores and mycelia on the infected tissue of various Solanaceous hosts. Warmer temperatures in spring trigger fruiting and the release of spores from both fungi, which are moved by wind and water onto potato plants. When moisture is available the spores germinate and penetrate potato tissue, often through existing wounds. Initial infections of the two pathogens create similar symptoms, small dark spots on lower leaves.

However, the foliar lesions caused by brown leaf spot never develop the dark concentric rings characteristic of early blight. They coalesce across large veins until whole leaves turn brown and hang from the plant. The tuber symptoms of brown leaf spot are commonly referred to as Black Pit, appearing as small black holes in the tuber surface. Brown leaf spot can also result in skin patches similar to those caused by early blight, most often observed after washing.

Brown leaf spot can be managed using cultural controls and fungicides. Crop rotation including non-host crops and cultural practices such as the planting of certified seed, timely irrigation, and post-harvest refuse management should be the foundation of any disease management program. Fungicides can be applied after flowering to improve control. Strobilurins used for early blight will not provide adequate control of brown leaf spot. Yet, protectant fungicides also often prescribed for early blight (e.g., maneb, mancozeb, chlorothalonil and triphenyltin hydroxide) are moderately effective against brown leaf spot when applied at approximately 7- to10-day intervals. This highlights the point that strobilurin fungicides should always be paired with a protectant fungicide to manage pathogen diversity and pesticide resistance.

More information on brown leaf spot of potato can be found in a new bulletin from Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Potato Industry Commission entitled Brown Leaf Spot (E3182). This bulletin and others are available free through the Michigan State University Extension Bookstore at http://bookstore.msue.msu.edu/

References:
Kirk, W. and P.S. Wharton. 2012. Brown Leaf Spot. MSU Extension Bulletin E3182. Available at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins2/product/michigan-potato-diseases-brown-leaf-spot-1298.cfm

P.S. Wharton. and W. Kirk. 2007. Early Blight. MSU Extension Bulletin E2991. Available at http://www.potatodiseases.org/earlyblight.html

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