Diplocarpon earliana

Fungal Disease

Diplocarpon earliana

Fungal Disease

Diplocarpon earliana

Fungal Disease

Leaf scorch in strawberries, caused by the fungus Diplocarpon earliana, is a serious disease that can be easily mistaken for common leaf spot (caused by Mycosphaerella fragariae). Although both diseases affect the leaves, leaf scorch is distinguishable by its unique symptoms and potential to cause severe damage to plants.

Symptoms:

• The disease begins with several small, irregular, purplish to tan spots or blotches (1-5 mm in diameter) on the upper surface of leaves. Unlike common leaf spot, the centers of these blotches remain purple or slowly develop small brownish centers.
• As the spots multiply and merge, the tissue between the blotches turns bright red to brown. In severe infections, entire leaves curl at the edges, turn brown, and take on a "scorched" or burned appearance.

Other Plant Parts Affected:

• D. earliana also infects petioles, flowers, and fruit. Irregular purple to brown spots develop on sepals and petioles, with badly spotted sepals turning brown, causing "dead caps," which lower the fruit's market value.
• In extreme cases, infected flowers and fruit may die, leading to yield losses.

Favorable Conditions: Leaf scorch is favored by long periods of leaf wetness, frequent rain, and temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. The disease primarily affects older and middle-aged leaves, which are more susceptible than younger ones.