Early Blight
Alternaria solani, Alternaria tomatophila
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameEarly Blight
DescriptionEarly blight is a common fungal disease of tomatoes and potatoes causing target-like brown spots on leaves. Learn to identify and treat it with our SEO guide.
TypeFungus
FamilyPleosporaceae
GenusAlternaria
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumAscomycota
SubphylumPezizomycotina
ClassDothideomycetes
OrderPleosporales
Features
- Named 'early blight' because symptoms typically appear earlier in the growing season than late blight. Caused by Alternaria fungi that produce dark, target-like lesions
- Creates brown to black spots with concentric rings resembling a bullseye or target. Spots have yellow halos and appear first on older, lower leaves. Stem lesions are dark and sunken
- Fungal spores land on leaves and penetrate tissue through wounds or natural openings. Grows within leaf tissue, killing cells and creating expanding lesions
- Target-like spots with concentric rings appear on leaves. Leaves turn yellow, then brown, and drop prematurely causing defoliation. Stems develop collar rot at soil line. Fruits show dark, sunken spots near stem
- Overwinters in infected plant debris and soil. Produces spores in spring that spread by wind, rain splash, and insects. Multiple infection cycles throughout season in warm, humid weather
- Leaf spots grow up to 12 mm (0.5 inches) in diameter. Individual spores are microscopic but visible in masses as dark powder
- Thrives in warm, humid conditions with temperatures between 25-30°C (77-86°F) and humidity above 90%. Most active during prolonged periods of leaf wetness
- Attacks tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and other nightshade family plants. Can also affect cucumbers and some ornamentals
- Prevent by rotating crops for 2-3 years, removing plant debris, using disease-free seeds, spacing plants for airflow, watering at base, mulching to prevent soil splash, and staking plants
- Treat with copper-based fungicides, Bacillus subtilis, or neem oil. Remove infected leaves promptly. Apply preventive sprays every 7-14 days during wet weather. Use hot water seed treatment
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificAlternaria solani, Alternaria tomatophila
English (Alternate)Target spot, Bullseye disease, Collar rot
Hindiअर्ली ब्लाइट (Early Blight), आरंभिक अंगमारी (Arambhik Angamari)
Tamilமுற்கால வாட்டம் (Muṟkāla vāṭṭam)
Teluguప్రారంభ వాడిపోవు వ్యాధి (Prārambha vāḍipōvu vyādhi)
Malayalamആദ്യകാല ವಾട്ടം (Ādyakāla vāṭṭaṁ)
Kannadaಆರಂಭಿಕ ಬ್ಲೈಟ್ (Ārambhika blaiṭ)
Sanskritप्रारम्भिक-म्लानि-रोगः (Prārambhika-mlāni-rogaḥ)
Bengaliপ্রাথমিক ঝলসানো (Prathamik jholsano)
Frenchbrûlure alternarienne, alternariose
Russianальтернариоз (alternarioz), ранняя гниль (rannyaya gnil)
Spanishtizón temprano, mancha foliar
GermanDürrfleckenkrankheit
