Causal Agent

The fungus, Septoria lycopersici 

 

Hosts

Tomato 

 

Symptoms

The disease first appears on the lower leaves after the plant has set fruit. Leaf spots begin as yellow areas that later become circular with gray centers and dark borders. Spots may reach 1/8 inch in diameter and be surrounded by a yellow halo. Tiny black specks, which are fruiting structures that release spores, develop in the center of these spots. Severely infected leaves fall off. Defoliation progresses from the base of the plant upwards and resembles early blight from a distance. However, the larger dark lesions with concentric rings of early blight are clearly different from small, speckled lesions of Septoria leaf spot. Loss of foliage may cause fruits to become sunscalded. Most infection early in the season probably arises from infested plant debris remaining in the soil from a previous tomato crop. Spores of the fungus are spread by splashing rain. The disease is favored by moderate temperatures and extended periods of high relative humidity. 

 

Control

Crop rotation and thorough shredding and incorporation of infested plant residue soon after harvest are recommended to reduce Septoria leaf spot. Weed control should be maintained because jimsonweed, horse nettle, and nightshade are also sources of infection. Drip but not sprinkler irrigation is recommended to reduce periods of leaf wetness and water splashing. Avoid working plants while foliage is wet. A fungicide spray schedule for early blight is usually effective for control of Septoria leaf spot except that the spray interval should be shortened to 7-10 days. Please contact your local county extension office for current information.