Fungal
Cercospora Leaf Spot
A fungal disease causing circular grey or tan spots with dark borders on beetroot, chard, and spinach leaves, which enlarge and merge to cause early defoliation.
Symptoms to Look For
- Circular spots with pale grey centres and dark purple-brown margins on leaves
- Spots enlarging and merging, covering large leaf areas in warm humid weather
- Premature yellowing and loss of older leaves from the outside of the plant inward
Affected Plants
BeetrootChardSpinachBeanCelery
Organic Solutions
Remove infected leaves
Remove spotted leaves promptly and destroy them to reduce the spore reservoir and delay spread to younger growth.
Copper spray
Apply copper-based spray preventatively during warm humid conditions, coating both upper and lower leaf surfaces thoroughly.
Prevention
- Practice a 3-year rotation for all chenopod family crops
- Avoid overhead watering and water only at the base of plants in the morning
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.