Leaf Blight of Strawberry
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Leaf blight (Phomopsis obscurans), also known as Phomopsis leaf blight, causes rapid death of older leaves. Young plants may die as a result of severe blighting. Symptoms begin as small spots with gray centers that resemble common leaf spot. As disease progresses, lesions become V-shaped, brown and necrotic, often with a yellow outer margin. Black fungal fruiting structures that resemble black pepper flakes are visible in centers of lesions.
Disease may affect petioles, stolons, and fruit. Pathogen overwinters on old foliage that remains attached to plants. Infection may also be introduced on infected plugs or tips.
Phomopsis leaf blight.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Phomopsis leaf blight.
(Photo: Alyssa Koehler, North Carolina State
Management:
- Begin with clean plant material.
- Use proper sanitation.
- Remove affected leaves.
- Increase air circulation to encourage leaf drying.
- Use fungicides if disease is severe.
