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Plant Pathology Circular No. 154, May 1975
Fla. Dept. Agric. & Consumer Services
Division of Plant Industry
J. W. Miller and S. A. Alfieri, Jr.
Ligustrum sinense Lour. is a hardy, semideciduous shrub used as an accent or foundation plant around the home. Variegated and nonvariegated forms of this species exist, with the variegated much more popular (3).
A leaf spot disease caused by Cornespora cassiicola (Berk. & Curt.) Wei has become increasingly serious on both forms of L. sinense in Florida. Under warm, moist conditions, the disease can lead to heavy defoliation. Other important hosts of C. cassiicola in Florida are cucumber (1), tomato (2), and hydrangea (4).
SYMPTOMS. On variegated L. sinense, symptoms begin as tiny, reddish, circular leaf spots, which enlarge to form light brown lesions with purple margins (fig. 1A). On the nonvariegated form, leaf spots are light brown with dark brown margins and prominent yellow halos (fig. 1B). The lesions often coalesce, followed by leaf abscission.
Fig. 1A & B. (82K) Corynespora
cassiicola on Ligustrum sinense: A) variegated L.
sinense showing light brown lesions with purple margins;
Fig.1B) nonvariegated L. sinense showing light brown spots with
dark brown margin and prominent yellow halo.
CONTROL. Proper spacing to give good aeration also helps to decrease the damage caused by this disease.
Reference to University of Florida/IFAS Pest Control Guides
Contribution No. 399, Bureau of Plant Pathology, P.O. Box 1269, Gainesville, FL 32602.
Literature Cited
1. Blasquez, C. H. 1967. Corynespora leaf spot of cucumber. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 80:177-182.
2. Blasquez, C. H. 1972. Target spot of tomato. Plant Dis. Reptr. 56:243245.
3. Miller, J. W., and S. A. Alfieri, Jr. 1974. Leaf spot of Ligustrum sinense caused by Corynespora cassiicola and its control. Phytopathology 64:255256.
4. Sobers, E. K. 1966. A leaf spot disease of azalea and hydrangea caused by Corynespora cassiicola. Phytopathology 56:455-457.
