Cercospora Leaf Spot
Leaf spot in eggplant is caused by a fungus belonging to the genus Cercospora which infects a wide range of hosts. Infection and disease development are favored by leaf wetness and high relative humidity.
Cercospora melongenae, the causal pathogen can survive in plant debris and soil for at least one year. Dispersal can be attributed to splashes of rain, irrigation water, or wind.
What are the symptoms
Symptoms appear on the leaves, petiole and stems as small, circular to oval chlorotic spotsappear that may be develop angular or irregularshapes. Symptoms initially appear on lower and older leaves.
Impact to the crop
The pathogen does not infect the fruits but reduces the growth of the plant leading to yield reduction. In severe cases, infection can cause death of plants.
How to control
Management can be done by maintaining proper field sanitation, use of disease-free transplants, weed control, avoid over-irrigation, increase planting distance, follow a calendar-based spray program using protectant fungicides like chlorothalonil.
Source: Srivastava, S. and Nelson, S. 2012. Cercospora leaf spot of eggplant. College of tropical Agriculture and Human Rsources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Plant Disease PD-82
