ARS | Publication request: Effects of Shading on Cercospora Leaf Spot in Bigleaf Hydrangea

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Digest
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 22, 2008
Publication Date: January 1, 2009
Citation: Li, Y., Windham, M.T., Trigiano, R.N., Rinehart, T.A., Spiers, J.M., Reed, S.M. 2009. Effects of Shading on Cercospora Leaf Spot in Bigleaf Hydrangea. Trade Journal Publication. Winter. 1:31.

Technical Abstract: Shading densities significantly affected disease severities of Cercospora leaf spot on bigleaf hydrangeas. In general, lower disease severities were associated with higher shading densities. However, significantly differences in disease severities among cultivars could not be detected in higher shading densities with 90% and 60% shade. These results suggest that planting bigleaf hydrangeas under shade could be an effective component in integrated management of the disease. Screening of bigleaf cultivars for leaf spot resistance needs to be conducted under full-sun or low shading density to avoid false conclusions.