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Seed Crop, Crucifers (Brassica, Eruca, and Raphanus spp.) - Chlorotic Leaf Spot (Light Leaf Spot)
By C. M. Ocamb
Cause The fungus, Cylindrosporium concentricum (sexual stage: Pyrenopeziza brassicae) was found in Oregon on canola, turnip, radish, black mustard, and other cruciferous vegetable seed crops and cover crops during 2014. The disease was found during 2016 in the Skagit Valley of western Washington on Brassica cover crops and wild mustard. All brassicas grown in the Pacific Northwest are probably susceptible but the specific host range within Brassicaceae is unknown at this time. Chlorotic leaf spot can also occur on weed plants including birdsrape mustard (B. rapa), black mustard (B. nigra), and wild radish. Oilseed rape and cauliflower are reported to be more susceptible than Brussels sprouts or kale, but there is a range of susceptibility within each crop species. Brassicas grown as vegetables in other areas of the globe, where this disease has been reported, suffer blemish defects by relatively mild infections, causing a decrease in quality but not of yield quantity. Trichloroacetic acid-based herbicides may increase plant susceptibility by affecting the waxy layer of leaves.
Disease can occur in the western U.S. on both spring- and fall-planted Brassica and radish crops. Wet conditions and cool temperatures (41ºF to 68ºF with 59ºF being optimum) promote infection and symptom development in crucifer crops. Since seed can be infected or casually infested with the asexual stage, epidemics can be initiated by seedborne inoculum or from neighboring fields containing infected plants or plant residues, or from infected weeds. Ascospores of P. brassicae have not been observed in the U.S., but are reported in other nations; ascospores develop from apothecia produced on infected plant residues, typically in late summer and autumn, and can be wind-dispersed relatively long distances after a wetting period. Outside of the U.S., disease outbreaks are initiated by the ascospores, including in vegetable crops. In published studies, apothecia developed on infected plant debris at temperatures between 41ºF and 64ºF, but developed more slowly under cooler temperatures (15 days at 43ºF vs. 5 days at 64ºF). Ascospores directly infect plants and once a plant is infected by either ascospores or conidia, the fungus systemically colonizes the plant aboveground and interferes with plant hormone production. Infected plants may remain asymptomatic for a period of time-days to weeks or longer. After lesions develop on leaves or stem surfaces, conidia can be produced. Generally, conidia developed at temperatures between 46ºF and 68ºF with free moisture being present for 6 to 72 hours. Studies have shown that greater numbers of conidia are produced at temperatures between 54ºF to 61ºF. The period between infection and sporulation in controlled studies was shortest at 61ºF (approximately 10 days). Conidia are dispersed relatively short distances by rain or splashing, blowing water droplets, resulting in disease spread across a field and potentially inciting pod infections in seed crops. Conidia can infect plants at temperatures between 39ºF and 68ºF if free moisture is present for periods longer than six hours.
Symptoms This fungus can attack leaves, stems and pods. Flecking may be observed on cotyledons while leaf infections start as yellow patches that develop into irregular brown lesions with cracked centers, sometimes turning black. Veins surrounding young lesions often take on an olive-brown hue and may exhibit deformities. Leaf lesions can coalesce, causing death of leaves. When leaves are infected young, distortion can develop. Stem lesions are superficial, elongated brownish streaks with grayish-black margins and can be mistaken for black leg, except decay does not affect the stem pith. Flower infections may cause abortion. Pods infected early appear distorted while pods infected later result in relatively-healthy-looking pods but will have white spore masses. Seedlings can be killed, or plants may be stunted. Cauliflower will have a brown discoloration of curds.
Cultural control
- Rotate out of crucifers for at least three years.
- Control susceptible weeds and volunteer crucifers during rotations.
- Avoid planting adjacent to a field infected the previous season.
- Treat seed with steam (90 sec at 145ºF to 160ºF), hot water (15 to 30 min at 122ºF), or 1.2% NaOCl (30 or 40 minutes) to reduce seedborne Cylindrosporium.
- Remove plant debris or bury by deep-plowing, important for preventing sexual recombinants from developing with new virulence or fungicide resistance. Flailing followed by a shallow incorporation may be sufficient depending on amount and size of plant debris as well as environmental conditions.
Chemical control Plant seed treated with a fungicide:
- Coronet fungicide seed treatment (Group 7 + 11) at 5.1 to 6.2 fl oz/100 lb seed (commercial seed treaters only) plus a dye. Studies conducted by WSU have shown Coronet at the higher rate to be an effective treatment for seedborne Cylindrosporium and other fungi.
- Mertect 340-F (Group 1) at 0.002 mg ai/seed is labeled for control of Fusarium diseases in brassicas and may aid in controlling seedborne Cylindrosporium in Oregon only.
Foliar applications during the fall, winter, and spring will help to protect seed fields:
- Inspire Super (Group 3 + 9) at 16 to 20 fl oz/A on 7- to 10-day intervals is labeled for other diseases on leafy brassicas and can be applied to control chlorotic leaf spot in Oregon only; apply in the fall as wet weather get under way. Make no more than two (2) sequential applications. Preharvest interval is 7 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Procure 480SC (Group 3) at 6 to 8 fl oz/A on 14-day intervals is labeled for other diseases of leafy, as well as head and stem, brassicas and can be applied to aid in controlling chlorotic leaf spot in Oregon only. Do not apply within 1 day of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
- Quadris Top (Group 11 + 3) at 12 to 14 fl oz/A is labeled for other fungal diseases on leafy brassicas and can be applied to help control chlorotic leaf spot in Oregon only. Do not apply within one day of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
References Carmody, S.M., King, K.M., Ocamb, C.M., Fraaije, B.A., West, J.S., and du Toit, L.J. 2020. A phylogenetically distinct lineage of Pyrenopeziza brassicae associated with chlorotic leaf spot of Brassicaceae in North America. Plant Pathology.
Claassen, B.J., Berry, P.A., Thomas, W.J., Mallory-Smith, C., and Ocamb, C.M. 2021. Black leg and chlorotic leaf spot on Brassicaceae crop and weed hosts in western Oregon. Plant Disease 105:doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-21-0665-RE.
Dewage, C.S.K., Fitt, B.D.L., Klöppel, C.A., and Stotz, H.U. 2018. Host-pathogen interactions in relation to management of light leaf spot disease (caused by Pyrenopeziza brassicae) on Brassica species. Crop Pasture Sci. 69(1):9-19.
Gilles, T., Fitt, B.D.L., and Jeger, M.J. 2001. Effects of environmental factors on development of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) apothecia on oilseed rape debris. Phytopathology 91(4):392-398.
Gilles T., Fitt B.D.L., Kennedy R., Welham S.J., and Jeger, M.J. 2000. Effects of temperature and wetness duration on conidial infection, latent period and asexual sporulation of Pyrenopeziza brassicae on leaves of oilseed rape. Plant Pathol. 49:498-508.
Karolewski, Z., Evans, N., Fitt, B.D.L., Todd, A.D., and Baierl, A. 2002. Sporulation of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) leaves inoculated with ascospores or conidia at different temperatures and wetness durations. Plant Pathol. 51(5):654-665.
McCartney, H.A., and Doughty, K.J. 2007. Light Leaf Spot. p. 31-35 in Compendium of Brassica Diseases. Rimmer, S.R., Shattuck, V.I., and Buchwaldt, L. (eds.). St. Paul, MN: APS Press.
Miller, S.A., and Lewis Ivey, M.L. Hot water treatment of vegetable seeds to eradicate bacterial plant pathogens in organic production systems. Ohio State University Extension Factsheet HYG-3086-05.