Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Fact Sheets

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Mango angular leaf spot (325)

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Photo 1. Small black spots with characteristic halos on the upper surface of mango leaves, caused by angular leaf spot, Scolecostigmina mangiferae.

Photo 2. Underside of mango leaf showing symptoms of angular leaf spot, Scolecostigmina mangiferae.

Photo 3. Close up of leaf showing symptoms of angular leaf spot, Scolecostigmina mangiferae.

Common Name

Angular leaf spot, mango leaf spot.

Scientific Name

Scolecostigmina mangiferae; previously known as Cercospora mangiferae and Stigmina mangiferae. Different from but easily comfused with anthracnose, Glomerella cingulata (see Fact Sheet no. 09).

Distribution

Worldwide. In the tropics and subtropics. Asia distribution uncertain. South and Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania. American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

Hosts

Mango

Symptoms & Life Cycle

The fungus causes leaf spots, circular to angular, up to 6 mm diameter, with small black centres surrounded by wide greenish halos (Photos 1&2). Dark spots on the underside as sporulation occurs (Photo3).

Wind and rain spread the spores that are produced on the underside of the leaves.

Impact

The spots on the leaves may merge in wet weather to form large black areas causing leaf fall, but there is little information on the impact of this disease. It often occurs with anthracnose caused by Glomerella cingulata, which results in a more serious disease as it attacks flowers and shoots (see Fact Sheet no. 09). Unlike anthracnose, a post-harvest infection has not been reported.

Detection & inspection

Look for the small black angular to circular spots, merging in wet weather, surrounded by light-greenish halos.

Management

It is not understood if control measures are required against this disease. Often, it occurs with anthracnose (Glomerella cingulata) making a judgement difficult. If control measures are required, use those recommended for the anthracnose fungus (see Fact Sheet no. 09).

CULTURAL CONTROL
It is important to prune trees to allow air to flow freely through the tree canopy to reduce humidity. Trees should be less than 4 m tall for easy management and harvesting. Diseased twigs should be removed and burnt along with fallen leaves.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
It is unlikely that chemical control is required for the control of angular leaf spot if the disease occurred on its own. It is much more likely that it will be associated with anthranose. In this case, apply a protectant fungicide (e.g., copper oxychloride or mancozeb). Applications need to begin when the flowers first appear and continue at recommended intervals until the pre-harvest waiting period.

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