Corynespora cassiicola

Fungal Disease

Corynespora cassiicola

Fungal Disease

Corynespora cassiicola

Fungal Disease

Corynespora cassiicola

Fungal Disease

Target spot in strawberries is caused by the fungus Corynespora cassiicola. Though not as widespread as other strawberry diseases, it can cause significant damage, especially in severe cases.

Symptoms:

• Early symptoms include small (3-5 mm), circular to irregular dark brown spots with beige centers appearing on the leaves.
• As the disease progresses, the leaf lesions can grow up to 20 mm, and the surrounding tissues may turn yellow.
• In severe infections, the spots can expand to cover half of the leaf area, leading to extensive damage.
• The fungus also affects other parts of the plant, such as petioles and the fruit calyx, where similar spotting can occur.

Target spot, though often less common than other leaf diseases, can lead to significant leaf damage and affect plant vigor. Early identification and management are essential to prevent severe infections from spreading across the strawberry field.