How to Identify Early Leaf Spot

The term "early leaf spot" refers to several different species of plant fungus that harm some varieties of plants. When left untreated, the soil-borne disease may ruin an entire crop. Learn to identify signs of early leaf spot so you can treat it and save your plants.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Check for abnormal changes in leaf coloration. Early leaf spot affects different plants in different ways. Some plants present leaves with dull, purplish, circular spots, while others manifest as dark brown circles on the upper part of the leaf. Spots on the lower part of leaves are a lighter brown and include a yellow ring or "halo" that outlines the brown spots.

2. Notice the center of the discolored spots. There are typically long, thin, strands of fungus called hyphae, which span out from the early leaf spot center toward the leaf's outer edges.

3. Observe the plant's stems. More advanced early leaf spot affects the stem of a plant as well as the leaves. Find long, oval, brown spots along the length of the diseased plant's stems.

4. Identify advanced early leaf spot signs. Plants with aggressive or severe forms of early leaf shed their leaves and age prematurely.

Tips & Warnings

• Rotate your plants to control early leaf spot. Eliminate weeds as soon as possible because dense growth promotes fungus.
• Treat early leaf spot with fungicides to eliminate the disease.

Resources

• See examples of early leaf spot disease in a cranberry plant.