Stemphylium Leaf-Spot and Other Foliar Diseases of Hebe.Pdf
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Factsheet 02/08 Horticultural Bradbourne House Development East Malling Hebe Council Kent ME19 6DZ T: 01732 848383 F: 01732 848498 Project HNS 128 E: [email protected] Stemphylium leaf-spot and other foliar diseases of hebe Dr Martin McPherson, Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd This Factsheet provides information on the newly identified leaf-spot disease of hebe caused by a Stemphylium sp. It also provides information on Septoria leaf spot and other foliar diseases affecting the crop. It should assist in their accurate identification and help in the implementation of appropriate control measures. Background The initial studies showed that Septoria insensitive (resistant) to carbendazim. was not present in the leaf-spot lesions Also, preliminary inoculation studies Following the occurrence of an unusual but instead a different fungus, sub- at STC successfully reproduced leaf- and severe leaf-spot affecting several sequently identified as a Stemphylium spot symptoms and indicated that hebe cultivars in the North of England species (Figure 1), was consistently the fungus may be the primary cause in autumn 2003, an HDC project (HNS recovered. This latter fungus was of the new leaf-spot problem. 128) was commissioned to investigate the distribution of the problem, its cause, biology and control. Previously, the predominant leaf-spot found on hebe has been caused by the fungus Septoria exotica which is characterised by the development of distinctive fungal fruiting bodies (pycnidia) in the centre of the lesions. For many years, Septoria leaf spot has been successfully controlled using fungicides containing carbendazim (eg Delsene 50 Flo – see fungicide section). However, industry reports of poor control with conventional spray programmes containing carbendazim prompted further investigation to determine if the problem was arising as a result of fungicide resistance or whether there was some other cause. 1 Hebe ‘Red Edge’ with a severe infection by Stemphylium Stemphylium Septoria which develops a dry pale leaf-spot problem was in the UK. The centre to individual lesions, and which study also requested growers to submit leaf-spot have a tendency to coalesce. The samples of hebe with leaf-spot symp- infected leaves either shrivel prema- toms to ascertain the primary cause of Symptoms turely and hang on the plant or drop off. the problem. Over 70% of the hebe samples subsequently received were The fungus produces large numbers confirmed as being infected with of small (1– 3mm) dark brown/purple Distribution Stemphylium leaf-spot. Yet, none of spots on the leaves (Figure 2 overleaf). the samples were found to be infected These neither coalesce (merge) nor A nationwide questionnaire was with Septoria exotica. This indicates a enlarge significantly. The centre of the distributed to commercial hebe growers significant shift in the pathogen popu- lesion remains the same colour, unlike to determine how widespread the lation on this host in the last few years. The precise reason for such a dynamic are not known precisely though the be regarded as immune, some cultivars shift is not clear, though, it has been pathogen does appear to spread more do appear to be much less susceptible speculated that it could have arisen as rapidly during periods of warm wet to Stemphylium leaf-spot. a result of selection pressure following weather (above 25ºC). Therefore, the repeated use of carbendazim-based disease is more likely to be problematic products, over several years. This during summer and early autumn and Cultural control hypothesis was later supported when this is when fungicides need to be it was demonstrated in fungicide applied more frequently to protect crops Attention to cultural control is impor- sensitivity tests in the laboratory that from infection. Spore trapping studies tant to minimise disease risk. the Stemphylium species was highly also supported this observation with Plants should be spaced out well to resistant to carbendazim; and hence few spores being detected during the encourage good air circulation. This not controlled by the fungicide pro- cooler winter months. allows the leaves to dry out more gramme applied routinely on this crop. quickly and reduces their vulnerability to infection from this, and other, leaf Nomenclature infecting pathogens. Similarly, on Infection and spread protected crops, overhead watering A molecular examination of the new should be avoided, where possible, The fungus produces moderate leaf-spot pathogen showed a 96% by using drip or sub-irrigation. Where numbers of asexual spores (conidia) similarity with Stemphylium solani this is not practical or economically on infected leaves and these are and this name will be used on a viable, any overhead watering should believed to be the primary means of presumptive basis to describe this be timed to ensure there is a chance disease spread between plants on new pathogen of Hebe. for the foliage to thoroughly dry out the nursery. during the day. Some Stemphylium species are For outdoor crops, subject to inter- also reported to produce a perfect Varietal susceptibility mittent rainfall, this is naturally more or sexual stage (Pleospora) under difficult and it is likely that alternative certain conditions and spores From observations on nurseries and techniques to minimise disease (ascospores) liberated from fruiting in replicated studies it is evident that risk will need to be deployed. As there bodies (perithecia) could potentially there are considerable differences in continues to be a potential risk of account for over-wintering survival relative susceptibility between different carry-over on leaf litter, efforts should of the fungus and long distance hebe cultivars and types. Whilst no be made to remove infected leaf dissemination. However, during the cultivars have been found which could debris between crops. two-year investigation, the sexual stage of the fungus was not found associated with infected hebe plants Graph 1 Relative Performance of Different Fungicide Products against or leaf litter material retained under Stemphylium leaf-spot on Hebe ‘Red Edge’ a range of different temperature and moisture conditions. 4 The conditions under which the spores are formed, liberated and spread 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 Mean number of lesions/shoot 0 Octave Shirlan Amistar Rovral Plover Frupica Systhane Scala Bavistin Folicur Untreated Signum 18 Oct 2004 4 Feb 2005 15 Nov 2004 2 Distinctive leaf spotting on Hebe caused NB: Three assessments of leaf-spot incidence were conducted during the period October 2004 to by Stemphylium February 2005. Fungicide control effective control of Stemphylium with Action points for the a limited number of well-timed sprays. control of Stemphylium As early studies demonstrated that Ideally this would need to be aligned leaf-spot the Stemphylium pathogen was not with information on climatic factors controlled by carbendazim, it was and disease risk eg inoculum (spore) • Growers should acquaint themselves important to find alternative effective load for optimum results. with this new disease and monitor fungicides. A number of potential crops closely. products were identified in a primary screen and subsequently assessed Crop and cultivar safety • Where leaf-spotting appears, submit on the susceptible cultivar ‘Red Edge’. a sample to a diagnostic laboratory Several products, including Signum The four products that significantly to confirm the primary cause. (pyraclostrobin & boscalid), Octave reduced Stemphyliuim (Amistar, (prochloraz-Mn), Amistar (azoxystrobin) Octave, Rovral & Signum) were tested • Once the pathogen has been and Rovral (iprodione), proved to be at different rates of use (including identified accurately, consider the very effective in reducing the incidence double the recommended rate) and various options for cultural control. and severity of Stemphylium leaf-spot produced no evidence of crop in these studies (Graph 1). Whilst damage on a broad range of com- • Adjust the fungicide spray program- Shirlan (fluazinam) was also moderately mercially available Hebe types me, as necessary, to secure effective, reports of skin sensitisation and cultivars. However, such tests improved efficacy against this fungus in particularly sensitive individuals may were limited to one season, so (see fungicide section). preclude its use where plants are likely growers are advised to test treat a to be handled regularly. small batch of plants to satisfy • Reduce the risk of resistance deve- Limited studies undertaken to themselves of product safety on the loping by alternating at least two but investigate fungicide timing suggest cultivars being grown before making preferably three fungicide products that it may be possible to secure an application. with different modes of action. Other leaf diseases important pathogens that affect (Botrytis cinerea) and web blight the quality of hebe plants. The (Rhizoctonia solani). in hebe most economically important of these are Septoria exotica (as In addition to Stemphylium leaf- mentioned above), downy mildew spot there are a number of other (Peronospora grisea), grey mould Septoria leaf-spot with a tendency to merge or coalesce. The centre of the lesion is pale with Background small fungal fruiting bodies (pycnidia) embedded in the decaying leaf tissues Septoria leaf-spot (Septoria exotica) (Figure 3); though these may only be has been regarded for the last 25 – 30 visible with a hand-lens. years as the most common leaf-spot disease in commercial hebe crops. Consultant plant pathologists have Infection