Medium Severity
Early Blight
Alternaria solani
A common fungal disease causing dark spots with concentric rings on leaves.
Cause
Caused by Alternaria solani. Favored by warm temperatures (24–29°C) and wet conditions.
Symptoms
- Dark brown spots with concentric rings (target spots)
- Yellow halos surrounding spots
- Spots coalesce to kill entire leaves
- Fruit infections near stem end
Treatment Steps
- 1Apply copper-based or mancozeb fungicide
- 2Remove infected lower leaves
- 3Stake plants to improve air circulation
- 4Apply mulch to reduce soil splash
Prevention Tips
- Rotate crops (avoid solanaceous crops for 2 years)
- Use mulch to prevent soil-borne spore splash
- Apply preventive fungicides at first symptoms
- Choose resistant varieties