A fungal disease that starts on the outside leaves causing 0.5-2 mm spots that are initially brown. The centres may become lighter and speckled with time and the spots expand to cover most of the lea and cause general withering. Production of small black spore bodies may give an overall black appearance. Secondary bacterial soft rots may follow infection.
Species Affected:
Celery.
Biology:
Favoured by cool moist weather.
Spread on infected seed, implements, animals and by rain, irrigation water and wind.
The disease will only last on the seed for 1 season so 2 year old seed is disease free.
Fungus survives on crop residues.
Life Cycle:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
Management and Control:
Use healthy seed or use a hot water dip or keep seed until it is 2 years old if in doubt.
Destroy residues of previous crop soon after harvest.
Avoid planting Celery on or adjacent to areas that have had Celery in the last 2-3 years.
Apply fungicides from the first sign of disease. It is difficult to control once established.
American stringless varieties appear to be more susceptible than others.
Related and Similar Species:
References:
1205
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.