Early blight
Alternaria solani and Alternaria alternata
Causative agent and transmission
Early blight is caused by the fungi Alternaria solani and A. alternata.
The disease causes damage particularly in hot and dry continental climates, but is accentuated by irrigated cultivation.
Early blight is encouraged by plant ageing and very specific weather conditions:
• high temperature (20-25° C) with dew during the night allowing infection,
• alternating damp and sunny periods for the development of conidia and sporulation.
The spores are spread by the wind and rain splash.
Description of the symptoms
Back to the diseases page
• On leaves: well-defined necrotic blemishes, of variable size, located more often on the bottom leaves, concentric rings on the large blemishes.
• On tubers: brown and black rot, very dry, quite typical, with shrinking.
Control
- Many anti late blight fungicides (mancozeb, chlorothalonil, fluazinam, etc.) are also effective on early blight;
- Avoid stress which accelerates plant ageing
