Cercospora Leaf Blight (Purple Seed Stain)
Cercospora Leaf Blight (Purple Seed Stain)
Symptoms
Seedlings infected with Cercospora leaf blight are stunted and may die as a result of stem girdling. Infected seed
Cercospora Leaf Blight
University of Kentucky Dept. Plant Pathology
leaves may shrivel, turn purple, and drop prematurely. Late in the season, upper leaves of plants may develop extensive blighting over large portions of fields. Blighting is the result of numerous pin-point spots to irregular blotches that are red-purple in color. Affected foliage defoliates prematurely.
Small reddish-purple, slightly sunken lesions form on stems and leaf petioles. Infected seed will exhibit varying degrees of pink to purple seed coat discoloration.
Only the leaf blight phase of this disease affects yield. Seed discoloration is a cosmetic seed quality problem, primarily affecting marketability.
Cause
Cercospora leaf blight and purple seed stain are caused by the fungus Cercospora kikuchii. The fungus survives between seasons in seed and infested crop residue. Infected seeds produce diseased seedlings.
Infectious spores are produced by infected seedlings, infested crop residue and certain weeds. Spores are blown or splashed onto upper plant parts, and infection occurs during warm, wet weather.
IPM Techniques
- Plant high-quality, disease-free seed or certified seed.
- Rotate soybeans with other crops.
References and Additional Information
- PPA-10b Kentucky Plant Disease Management Guide for Soybean by D.E. Hershman, Extension Plant Pathologist
-
Compendium of Soybean Diseases, J.B. Sinclair and P. A. Backman (The American Phytopathological Society Press)
