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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #226875
Title: Irrigation Effects on the Spread of Corynespora Leaf Spot on African Violets

Author
item ROSS, HILLARY - UNIV TENNESSEE
item WINDHAM, ALAN - UNIV TENNESSEE
item TRIGIANO, ROBERT - UNIV TENNESSEE
item Copes, Warren
item WINDHAM, MARK - UNIV OF TENNESSEE

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2006
Publication Date: 2/16/2007
Citation: Ross, H., Windham, A., Trigiano, R., Copes, W.E., Windham, M. 2007. Irrigation effects on the spread of Corynespora leaf spot on African violets. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. 51:184-186.

Interpretive Summary: African violet cultivars have had severe leaf spot epidemics caused by Corynespora cassiicola in recent years. Unfortunately, little information has been published on the relationship between African violets and C. cassiicola. Mist, drip, and ebb and flow irrigation systems were studied to determine which was most effective in reducing the spread of the fungus. Data indicated that the drip treatment supported a slower initial infection rate, but all three systems provided no reduction in the spread of the pathogen. This information will benefit extension agents and greenhouse violet producers understand that changes in irrigation will not reduce severity of Corynespora leaf spot.

Technical Abstract: African violet cultivars have had severe leaf spot epidemics caused by Corynespora cassiicola in recent years. Unfortunately, little information has been published on the relationship between African violets and C. cassiicola. Mist, drip, and ebb and flow irrigation systems were studied to determine which was most effective in reducing the spread of the fungus. Data indicated that the drip treatment supported a slower initial infection rate. Lesions on plants did not appear until the fifth week. However once infection was present, all three systems provided no reduction in the spread of the pathogen. The results show that all irrigation systems contribute favorable moisture conditions for the disease in a greenhouse and fungicide treatment will be important to achieve healthy plants.