Cercospora Leaf Spot
Cercospora beticola
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameCercospora Leaf Spot
DescriptionCercospora leaf spot creates small, circular spots with ashy grey centers and reddish-purple borders. Identify these 'frogeye' lesions to prevent early defoliation.
TypeFungus
FamilyMycosphaerellaceae
GenusCercospora
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumAscomycota
SubphylumPezizomycotina
ClassDothideomycetes
OrderCapnodiales
Features
- A major fungal disease affecting a wide range of crops including beets, soybeans, peppers, and celery. Caused by various Cercospora species
- Characterized by small (2-5 mm), circular lesions with distinctive light grey or ashy centers and dark brown-to-purple margins
- Initial spots are often very small and reddish. As they expand, the centers become necrotic and take on the characteristic grey color
- In humid weather, tiny black specks (fruiting bodies) may be visible in the centers of the spots, reflecting light and giving them a 'frogeye' look
- Severely infected leaves turn yellow, then brown, and fall off prematurely. This significantly reduces the plant's sugar content and overall yield
- The fungus overwinters in infected crop debris and on seeds. It spreads primarily through wind and splashing rain/irrigation water
- Thrives in warm (25-35°C) and highly humid conditions. It is particularly aggressive during periods of frequent rainfall or heavy morning dews
- Can also affect stems and pods in some crops like soybeans, causing purplish stains on the seeds that reduce their commercial value
- Prevent by rotating crops and using certified pathogen-free seeds. Plow under or remove crop residue at the end of the season
- Apply protective fungicides when conditions are favorable for disease. Ensure good plant spacing for air circulation to lower leaf-level humidity
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificCercospora beticola
English (Alternate)Frogeye leaf spot
Hindiसरकोस्पोरा पत्ती धब्बा (Cercospora patti dhabba)
Tamilசர்க்கோஸ்போரா இலைப்புள்ளி (Cercospora ilaippulli)
Teluguసర్కోస్పోరా ఆకు మచ్చ తెగులు (Cercospora aku machha tegulu)
Malayalamസിർക്കോസ്പോറ ഇലപ്പുള്ളി (Sirkkōspōṟa ilappuḷḷi)
Kannadaಎಲೆ ಚುಕ್ಕಿ ರೋಗ (Ele cukki rōga)
Sanskritवृत्त-बिन्दु-रोग (Vṛtta-bindu-roga)
Bengaliসারকোস্পোরা লিফ স্পট (Cercospora leaf spot)
Frenchcercosporiose
Russianцеркоспороз (tserkosporoz)
Spanishmancha foliar por cercospora
GermanCercospora-Blattfleckenkrankheit
