Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Fact Sheets

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Algal leaf spot (148)

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Photo 1. Algal leaf spots, Cephaleuros virescens, on avocado leaves.

Photo 2. Close-up of algal leaf spots, Cephaleuros virescens, showing the stalks which have spores at their tips. The spores are spread in wind and rain.

Common Name

Algal leaf spots, red rust (tea and coffee)

Scientific Name

Cephaleuros virescens, Cephaleuros minimus, Cephaleuros parasiticus

Distribution

Worldwide. In tropics and sub-tropics. The species are recorded from American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Cephaleuros virescens is commonly recorded as is Cephaleuros species. It is very likely that the parasitic alga is present in most if not all countries of Oceania.

Hosts

Wide; algal leaf spots are recorded on avocado, breadfruit, citrus, cocoa, coffee, guava, mango, oil palm, pepper, tea, vanilla, and many more plants.

Symptoms & Life Cycle

Algal leaf spot occurs commonly in areas of high temperatures and rainfall, and where the host plants are not growing well. Poor nutrition, poor soil drainage and too much or too little shade, all create conditions that favour the disease.

On leaves, green to orange spots develop, which are round, 2-4 mmm diameter, flattened with furry growth and indistinct margins (Photo 1). The spots may merge. On young stems, the spots cause cracks in the bark and this can lead to dieback. In Samoa, this is commonly seen on cocoa seedlings planted without shade. On guava fruit, the spots are more irregular in size and shape, black, and cause distortions that affect quality.

Spores of the algae (called sporangia) are formed on the spots, giving them a furry look (Photo 2). The sporangia are spread by wind and also by water splash. They need water to germinate, but instead of producing a germ tube, each produces several motile spores which swim for a short time before they germinate and infect. In this way, they are similar to Phytophthora and downy mildews, which are also algae, not fungi.

Impact

Algal leaf spot is a minor disease of little economic importance, although it can result in leaf fall, dieback of branches, or distortion of fruits. Of the three species, Cephaleuro virescans is the most common. On many trees, it is the leaves of low hanging branches that show symptoms of the leaf spot.

Detection & inspection

Look for the green or orange, slightly raised, furry spots on the leaves that often merge to form large blotches. Look for black, irregular spots, on susceptible fruit, such as guava, and look for dieback on cocoa seedlings.

Management

Except for very susceptible crops, such as guava when grown in areas of high rainfall, control measures are rarely needed. If they are, cultural control should be used to improve growing conditions.

CULTURAL CONTROL

• Prune low hanging branches, which on many crops are the first to show signs of the disease.
• Importantly, improve growing conditions, as follows:
  • Drainage: If the ground becomes waterlogged and this is affecting growth, improve drainage.
  • Nutrition: Consider the addition of mineral fertilizer, if the growth of the trees is poor.
  • Shade: If shade is too heavy or too little, make alterations, especially if dieback is occurring.
  • Tree density: If, for instance, guava trees are planted in a high rainfall area, ensure that plant density allows air circulation for rapid drying of leaves and fruit; and orientate the rows so that air moves easily through the crop.
  • Weeds: Remove weeds from around the trees to reduce competition for nutrients, and also to reduce humidity.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
This is not an appropriate method of control.

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