Early blight is a disease of tomato, pepper and eggplant caused by the fungus Alternaria solani, but tends to be most damaging to tomato. Early blight occurs on tomatoes wherever they are grown, but is most damaging in humid climates or semiarid environments where dews are frequent or irrigation is provided by overhead sprinklers. A. solani survives between susceptible hosts in and on infected crop debris in the soil and on seed. The pathogen can also survive on several weeds and other crops, including black nightshade, horsenettle, and potato. Disease occurs when spores (conidia) land on leaves and germinate in free moisture when temperatures are cool to warm. High temperatures (82-86ºF) and alternating cycles of night time leaf wetness and daytime drying favor prolific sporulation and severe epidemics. Conidia are easily disseminated by wind and splashing water. Older leaves on plants are most susceptible to early blight, and young tissues become infected later in the season as they age.
Early blight can be very devastating if not managed carefully. Small lesions first appear on older leaflets as small brown to black lesions surrounded by a yellow halo. Lesions enlarge rapidly and form concentric rings as they age. Lesions become more numerous as plants age, coalesce, and can cause severe defoliation. Stem lesions are small, dark, and slightly sunken. Stem lesions enlarge and often develop concentric rings with light centers. Large stem lesions can form near the soil line, girdling the stem and killing the plant (often called collar rot). Fruit can become infected when green or ripe, forming large lesions with concentric rings. The entire fruit can become covered with lesions. Diseased areas appear leathery and may be covered by a velvety mass of black spores.
No effective biological control strategies have been developed for early blight.
Plant only high quality seed or transplants free from the early blight pathogen. Plant resistant or tolerant varieties where available. Practice a three-year or longer crop rotation between susceptible crops; avoid potato and other solanaceous crops in rotations. Practice strict sanitation between solanaceous crops by destroying crop debris, weeds, and volunteers. Provide adequate but not excessive nitrogen fertilization and irrigation to promote vigorous growth. Time irrigations to avoid prolonged periods of leaf wetness; do not use overhead irrigation if possible. Promote rapid drying of foliage between irrigation by planting on wide row spacing parallel to the prevailing wind direction.
Fungicides are often necessary for effective early blight management in tomato, but rarely in pepper or eggplant. Fungicides are most effective when used in combination with cultural control strategies.
Product List for Early Blight Eggplant:
|
Pesticide |
Product per acre |
Application Frequency (days) |
Remarks |
|
Boscalid |
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Endura |
2.5-3.5 oz |
7-14 days |
Maximum of 21 oz or 6 applications per season; do not make more than 2 consecutive Endura applications before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI |
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Copper Fungicides |
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Champ Dry Prill |
1.33 lb |
5-7 days |
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Champ Formula 2 |
1.33 pt |
5-7 days |
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Copper-Count-N |
4-6 pt |
7 days |
Mid-harvest. |
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Cuprofix MZ Disperss |
1.75-4.75 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 21 lbs product/A/season |
|
Kocide 101 |
1.5-3 lbs |
5-7 days |
May cause injury |
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Kocide DF |
1.5-3 lbs |
5-7 days |
May cause injury |
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Kocide 4.5LF |
1-2 pts |
5-7 days |
May cause injury |
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Nordox |
1.5-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
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Tri Basic Copper |
2-4 pt |
7-10 days |
1 day PHI |
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EBDC/ mixtures |
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Maneb 75 DF |
1.5-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 17.1 pounds per season; 5 day PHI |
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Manex 80W |
1.5-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 16.0 pounds per season; 5 day PHI |
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Manex |
2.4-3.2 pt |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 25 pints per season; 5 day PHI |
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Strobilurin |
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Cabrio |
8-16 oz |
7-14 days |
Maximum of 4 applications or 64 oz per season; Alternate fungicides with different modes of action; 0 day PHI |
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Flint |
2-3 oz |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 4 applications or 16 ounces per season; Rotate with fungicides with a different mode of action such as Maneb, Endura, or copper-containing products; 3 day PHI |
|
Quadris |
11.0-15.4 fl oz |
5-14 days |
Maximum of 4 applications or 2.88 quarts per season; Alternate Quadris with fungicides with different modes of action; 1 day PHI |
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The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality. |
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Product List for Early Blight Pepper:
Pesticide |
Rate/Acre |
Application Frequency
|
Remarks |
Boscalid |
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|
Endura |
2.5-3.5 oz |
7-14 days |
Maximum of 21 oz or 6 applications per season; do not make more than 2 consecutive Endura applications before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI |
Captan |
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Captan 50 |
2 lb |
3-7 days |
4 day REI |
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Copper Fungicides |
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Champ Dry Prill |
2 lb |
7-10 days |
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Champ Formula 2 |
2 pt |
7-10 days |
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Copper-Count-N |
4 pt |
7-10 days |
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Cuprofix Disperss |
2.5-6 lb |
7-10 days |
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Kocide 101 |
1.5-3 lbs |
5-7 days |
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Kocide DF |
1.5-3 lbs |
5-7 days |
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Kocide 4.5LF |
1-2 pts |
5-7 days |
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Nordox |
2-4 lb |
7-10 days |
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Top Cop + S |
4 pt |
7-10 days |
1 day PHI |
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Tri-Basic Copper |
3 lb |
7-10 days |
1 day PHI |
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EBDC |
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Maneb 75DF |
1.5-2 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 12.8 lbs; 5 day PHI |
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Maneb 80W |
1.5-2 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 12 lbs; 5 day PHI |
Strobilurin and Strobilurin Mixtures |
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Cabrio |
8-12 oz |
7-14 days |
Maximum of 6 applications or 96 oz per season; Do not make more than 2 applications before alternating with a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI |
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Flint |
2-3 oz |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 4 applications or 16 ounces per season; Rotate with fungicides with a different mode of action such as Maneb, Endura, or copper-containing products; 3 day PHI |
|
Quadris FL |
6.2-15.4 oz |
7-21 days |
Do not make more than 1 Quadris application before rotating with a fungicide with a different mode of action; Maximum 1.92 qt/acre/season; 0 day PHI |
|
Tanos |
8 oz |
5-7 days |
Rotate and rotato with fungicides with a different mode of action such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb; Maximum of 72 ounces per season; 3 day PHI |
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The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality. |
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Product List for Early Blight Tomato:
Pesticide |
Product per acre |
ApplicationFrequency
|
Remarks |
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Boscalid |
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|
Endura |
2.5-3.5 oz |
7-14 days |
Maximum of 21 oz or 6 applications per season; do not make more than 2 consecutive Endura applications before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI |
|
Captan |
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Captan 4F |
4 pt |
5-7 days |
4 day REI |
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Captan 50 |
2 lb |
5-7 days |
4 day REI |
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Copper Fungicides |
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Champ Dry Prill |
1.33 lb |
5-7 days |
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Champ Formula 2 |
1.33 pt |
5-7 days |
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Copper-Count-N |
4-6 pt |
7 days |
|
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Kocide 101 |
1.5-3 lbs |
5-7 days |
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Kocide DF |
1.5-3 lbs |
5-7 days |
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Kocide 4.5LF |
1-2 pts |
5-7 days |
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Kocide 3000 |
0.75-1.75 lb |
5-10 days |
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Nordox |
1.5-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
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Tri Basic Copper |
2-4 pt |
7-10 days |
1 day PHI |
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Chlorothalonil and Chlorothaloni Mixtures |
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Bravo 720, Echo 720 |
1.5-3 pt |
7-14 days |
Do not graze or feed debris to livestock; 7 day PHI |
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Bravo Ultrex, Echo 90DF |
1.7-2.2 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 18.3 pounds per season; 0 day PHI |
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Bravo Weather Stik |
1.5-3.0 pt |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 20 pints per season; 0 day PHI |
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Echo Zn |
2-4 pt |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 3.6 gallons per season; 0 day PHI |
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Ridomi Goldl/Bravo |
2 lb |
14 days |
Maximum of three applications; 14 day PHI |
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EBDC, Copper/EBDC, and EBDC/Zoxamide |
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Cuprofix Disperss MZ |
1.75-4.75 lb |
3-10 days |
Maximum of 21 pounds per season; 5 day PHI |
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Dithane |
1.5-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 8.5 pounds per season; 5 day PHI; use a non-ionic surfactant to improve performance |
|
Gavel |
1.5-2 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 4 (west of Rockies) to 8 (east of Rockies) applications; 5 days PHI |
|
Maneb 75 DF |
1.5-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 8.5 pounds per season; 5 day PHI |
|
Manex |
1.2-1.6 qt |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 6.4 quarts per season; 5 day PHI |
|
ManKocide |
2.5-5.0 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 42.6 pounds per season; 5 day PHI |
|
Manzate Fl |
1.2-1.6 qt |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 6.4 qts per season; 5 day PHI |
|
Penncozeb 80W |
0.75-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 8.0 pounds per season; 5 day PHI. |
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Penncozeb 75DF |
0.75-2.0 lb |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 8.5 pounds per season; 5 day PHI. |
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Pyrimethanil |
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Scala |
7.0 fl oz |
7-14 days |
Maximum of 35 fl oz; 1 day PHI |
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Strobilurin and Strobilurin Mixtures |
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|
Cabrio |
8-12 oz |
7-14 days |
Maximum of 6 applications or 96 oz per season; Do not make more than 2 applications before alternating with a fungicide with a different mode of action; 0 day PHI |
|
Flint |
4 oz |
7-10 days |
Maximum of 5 applications or 16 ounces per season; Rotate with fungicides with a different mode of action such as Maneb, Endura, or copper-containing products; 3 day PHI |
|
Quadris |
6 oz |
5-7 days |
Maximum of 0.60 lb a.i. per season; Alternate Quadris with fungicides with different modes of action; 0 day PHI |
|
Tanos |
8 oz |
5-7 days |
Rotate and rotate with fungicides with a different mode of action such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb; Maximum of 72 ounces per season; 3 day PHI |
|
The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality. |
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Categories: Eggplant, Pepper, Tomato, Disease, Early Blight
Date: 04/01/2007