Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Fact Sheets

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Cassava brown leaf spot (095)

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Photo 1. Small round leaf spots, with distinct yellow halos of cassava brown leaf spot, Cercosporidium henningsii.

Photo 2. Cassava brown leaf spot, Cercosporidium henningsii. Note that the spots are on the older leaves and that they are limited by the veins.

Common Name

Cassava brown leaf spot

Scientific Name

Passalora henningsii; previously, Cercosporidium henningsii, Cercospora henningsii. It is also known as Mycospaerella henningsii, after the sexual state.

Distribution

Worldwide. In the tropics. Asia, North, South, Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania. It is recorded from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Federated States of Micronesia, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

Hosts

Cassava

Symptoms & Life Cycle

The disease usually occurs on the older, lower leaves, and is more noticeable 5-6 months after planting. Leaves fall prematurely.

Leaf spots are circular, up to 15 mm diameter, becoming angular and limited by veins (Photos 1&2). The spots are brown on upper surfaces with dark borders, sometimes surrounded by indistinct yellow margins. On the underside, the spots are grey with less distinct borders. Minor veins crossing the spots appear as black necrotic lines. The centres of the spots dry, crack and may fall out. As the spots enlarge, the leaves yellow and fall off.

Warm, humid weather increases the severity of the disease. Spores of the fungus produced on the lower surface are spread by wind and water-splash. Long distance spread occurs when spores are carried on planting material. In general, older leaves are more susceptible to the disease (Photo 2). The fungus can continue to live on old fallen leaves.

Impact

Losses in root yield of up to 30% have been reported from Africa, up to 23% in South America, and 17% in India. However, serious defoliation requiring disease control has not been reported in Pacific island countries. The disease is usually late in the growth of the plants, and only on the older leaves. If control measures were required, reduce plant density (i.e., increase the spacing between plants) to lower the humidity within the plantation.

Detection & inspection

Look for angular and round light brown spots with yellow margins on the older leaves.

Management

CULTURAL CONTROL
The disease is of minor importance, and good cultural practices should reduce any potential impact:

Before planting:

• Plant at wide spacing, allowing the wind to dry the leaves as quickly as possible.
• Practice crop rotations of 3-5 years.
• Plant in the wet season, so that crops are in the susceptible stage (6-8-months-old) in the dry season.
• Do not plant new crops next to old ones with the disease.

During growth:

• During the dry season remove heavily diseased leaves to prevent the fungus spreading quickly when the rains start.

After harvest:

• Collect and burn debris.

RESISTANT VARIETIES
Varieties are not known with resistance to the disease in the Pacific islands, although in other regions there are reports of differences. Check if varieties differ in the amount of leaf loss, and choose those with the least damage.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
For chemical control, if warranted, copper fungicides or mancozeb.

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