Early blight affects the stems, leaves and fruits of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. Characteristic symptoms are the appearance of spots in concentric circles and the fall of the lower leaves.
Scientific name: Alternaria solani
Greek name: Αλτερναρίωση Πατάτας
Symptoms
Early blight attacks all parts of the plant, stems, leaves, fruits (tomato), tubers (in potato). A characteristic feature of the disease is the formation of spots in concentric circles, resembling “targets”.
In tomato fruits the spots are black and sunken, whereas in potato tubers they are brown and may extend over a large part of the fruit.
In tomatoes, the symptoms are similar to those caused by an imbalance in nutrition between calcium and potassium.
Pathogen – Growth conditions
The fungus responsible for this disease is Alternaria solani.
Infections start from crop residues or self-infected plants and are favored by low temperatures at which the spores germinate. However, the presence of free moisture in the form of drops on plant surfaces is essential.
Source
Tags: EGGPLANT • EGGPLANTS • PEPPER • PLANT DISEASE • TOMATO • TOMATOES
